WNBA Off-Season

[azfan]

Do you have a list?

Successful college coach to the WNBA just isn't a thing that happens regularly. NBA assistant to WNBA head coach has had mixed results in recent years. Assistant coach w/ WNBA experience also gets mixed results. There's the always popular retread strategy of hiring a coach let go by somebody else. That's not just a WNBA thing, the NBA and NFL love this approach as well.

Golden State already rolled the dice with trying Nakase as a first time head coach. We'll see how it works.

I see Katie Smith's name get thrown around. Long time assistant...brief DISASTROUS stint as head coach w/ New York. If somebody wants to try again, more power to them.

While experienced college coaches are not the only source for WNBA coaches you would probably be safe than assuming the head coaches from South Carolina and UConn might be above average WNBA coaches. If I'm not mistaken Southern California's coach has experience at least at the NBA level.

Another source of excellent candidates might well be assistant coaches in the WNBA Kristi T.olliver comes to mind

So while I don't have a list to offer you I would offer that the pool going forward for WNBA coaches it's much wider than the existing set of head coaches or former head coaches in the W.

 

[azfan]

Anyone want to give odds on how many coaches are paid more than the salary cap for players? It would certainly give the players’ union some ammunition if management pleads poverty during CBA negotiations next year.

If your observation relates to the salary cap for a single player I would say all the head coaches are above that. If you're referring to the salary cap for the team none of them....yet

While there are consistently head scratchers along players who make it to WNBA rosters I would argue that the number of head scratchers in the coaching ranks is a multiple of that.

We of course would have to begin with the million dollar coach in Phoenix with zero experience coaching women's basketball although he did spend his youth observing his dad as a successful high school women's Coach in South Dakota. Perhaps that was about.

That said unlike the NBA the WNBA has a set of economics on the wage side of the business that historically have been head scratching. We may however be on the cusp of some change and I think this may be one of the motivations for the union opting out in 2025.

 

[nwhoopfan]

While experienced college coaches are not the only source for WNBA coaches you would probably be safe than assuming the head coaches from South Carolina and UConn might be above average WNBA coaches. If I'm not mistaken Southern California's coach has experience at least at the NBA level.

Another source of excellent candidates might well be assistant coaches in the WNBA Kristi T.olliver comes to mind

So while I don't have a list to offer you I would offer that the pool going forward for WNBA coaches it's much wider than the existing set of head coaches or former head coaches in the W.

Okay but let's be honest--the coaches from UConn and South Carolina are extremely unlikely to leave their current situation to take on the helm of a struggling (or brand new) WNBA franchise. I would guess most top coaches in wcbb aren't particularly itching for the opportunity to jump to the WNBA.

Opinions vary on Gottlieb, I'm not particularly sold on her coaching prowess.

Tolliver is an interesting possibility. However any time you give someone their first opportunity as a head coach, you are rolling the dice. No matter how good their resume or pedigree, you just never know what kind of head coach they'll be until they are a head coach.

Maybe I'm glass half empty here, but I just can't come up with many candidates who seem like slam dunk good options who would actually take a position in the WNBA. And most of the teams looking for a new coach are not good destinations currently, making it a tougher sell. Dallas has some nice pieces but churns through coaches. Atlanta has been struggling for years. Washington is in flux. LA has some nice young players but a lot of work to do. If you had a crystal ball and knew ahead of time who wins the lottery and therefore likely will have Bueckers next season, that would help make at least one of those jobs more appealing. But I suspect the franchises will be looking to make a hire before the lottery drawing, so...



Just for fun, try to come up with a list of the top half dozen or so coaches in WNBA history, if you can think of that many. How does that list compare to top coaches in wcbb history? It's just apples and oranges as far their reputation and legacy, the WNBA just hasn't been very presitgious for coaches thus far.

 

[DRR25]

Up to 6 vacancies now. Still wouldn't be shocked if we saw one of Sides or Quinn get canned.

I don't see it even though Phoenix was mediocre this year. Ishbia dropping over a million on a new coach only to can him after one season would be an interesting choice.


Hopefully with the league's influx of money we see some better coaches step up to the plate.

I actually would be surprised if Noe is out in Seattle. If Sides is out, I wouldn't be surprised given the new gm, Dunn moving into a new role, ETC.

 

[Bigboote]

If your observation relates to the salary cap for a single player I would say all the head coaches are above that. If you're referring to the salary cap for the team none of them....yet

While there are consistently head scratchers along players who make it to WNBA rosters I would argue that the number of head scratchers in the coaching ranks is a multiple of that.

We of course would have to begin with the million dollar coach in Phoenix with zero experience coaching women's basketball although he did spend his youth observing his dad as a successful high school women's Coach in South Dakota. Perhaps that was about.

That said unlike the NBA the WNBA has a set of economics on the wage side of the business that historically have been head scratching. We may however be on the cusp of some change and I think this may be one of the motivations for the union opting out in 2025.

I’m talking the team cap. The coaches absolutely deserve 250k, but as you’ve pointed out, they often don’t deserve a million plus.

 

[azfan]

Maybe I'm glass half empty here, but I just can't come up with many candidates who seem like slam dunk good options who would actually take a position in the WNBA. And most of the teams looking for a new coach are not good destinations currently, making it a tougher sell.

The past set of candidates or the candidates in the tiny bubble for the head coach position in the w really haven't been slam dunks have they? There's a significant amount of uncertainty and risk in hiring a coach in any sport and that's really clear in the WNBA.

This was the motivation for my original comment that the owners and general managers in the w who have stayed within a very tiny circle of coaches often recycling them might be better served to expand the circle or potential pool of candidates.

I wasn't making an argument that this expanded pool would include any slam dunks but let's face it expanding the pool of coaching candidates couldn't do any worse than what they've done in the past as evidenced by the head coaching turnover in the offseason so far as well as the breathtaking hiring of the million dollar coach without women's coaching experience Nate Tibbetts. That certainly was not a slam dunk.

As to Lindsay Gottlieb. I take her over the million dollar coach every day of the week and twice on Sunday. In the HC chair this past year I think it's highly probable she'd have better record than the million dollar coach. Of course the mediocrity in Phoenix is such that a large number of coaches in all likelihood would have had a better record than Nate including his assistant Kristi Tolliver.

 

[nwhoopfan]

@azfan so basically you are saying take a flyer, just cast a wide net?

 

[azfan]

@azfan so basically you are saying take a flyer, just cast a wide net?

Don't current GMs and owners take a flyer and cast a narrow net.

Flyer - Weatherspoon

Narrow net - Kurt Miller

If my characterization of the status quo is correct that is in the status quo WNBA GM and owners have a relatively narrow pool of candidates with a tendency to recycle -to paraphrase your comment they take a flyer and cast a narrow net or fish in a shallow pool I merely advocatethat the breadth and depth of potential candidates be expanded.

Seems that increases the likelihood of achievement candidate who might be more successful.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

Natalie Williams out as GM in Vegas. All I can say is finally.

 

[cancontent]

Natalie Williams out as GM in Vegas. All I can say is finally.

Really? The team earned two titles after she joined the organization. How was she a detriment to the Aces while there?

 

[GCKSFN4L]

Really? The team earned two titles after she joined the organization. How was she a detriment to the Aces while there?

She inherited a pretty good core and did a poor job of securing quality depth. Especially this past season. The lack of a backup plan for Candace retiring is what hurt the Aces this season. She never made filling that role a priority and extending contracts to players such as Kierstan Bell is a waste of money and a roster spot for the organization.

 

[Bigboote]

She inherited a pretty good core and did a poor job of securing quality depth. Especially this past season. The lack of a backup plan for Candace retiring is what hurt the Aces this season. She never made filling that role a priority and extending contracts to players such as Kierstan Bell is a waste of money and a roster spot for the organization.

That's a good point; I'll add that with the salary cap where it is, just a couple of big contracts take up close to half the space. Of course, Vegas went for more big contracts than that, leaving about 5 spots close to the minimum. Super teams have won the last two championships, but Minnesota showed that a team that's not as stacked at the top but has more depth is certainly in the running.

 

[cancontent]

She inherited a pretty good core and did a poor job of securing quality depth. Especially this past season. The lack of a backup plan for Candace retiring is what hurt the Aces this season. She never made filling that role a priority and extending contracts to players such as Kierstan Bell is a waste of money and a roster spot for the organization.

Appreciate the perspective. I looked at that as a front office failing as a whole, which includes Fargas and Hammon.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

That's a good point; I'll add that with the salary cap where it is, just a couple of big contracts take up close to half the space. Of course, Vegas went for more big contracts than that, leaving about 5 spots close to the minimum. Super teams have won the last two championships, but Minnesota showed that a team that's not as stacked at the top but has more depth is certainly in the running.

I think NY has done a better job getting quality depth with their roster. It was NY depth that ultimately put them over the edge. Players like Fiebich, Nyara and KT provided the pieces to put them over all season.

I did like Minnesota roster, I think the talent on that roster was underrated. While not "superstars" there was definitely great role players on that team that worked well together. I still think they could have found more out of bench pieces like Dorka and Diamond.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

Appreciate the perspective. I looked at that as a front office failing as a whole, which includes Fargas and Hammon.

But at the end of the day that stills falls on the GM primarily. She's ultimately responsible on who they draft and pick up in free agency. There's a quote of her before the trade deadline saying she was content with the roster and was prioritizing chemistry over talent.

Other teams have caught up and not being proactive cost them in the end. CT and Minnesota both made changes mid-season that made their team better and that's been lacking for Vegas this past season.

 

[Geew1992]

She inherited a pretty good core and did a poor job of securing quality depth. Especially this past season. The lack of a backup plan for Candace retiring is what hurt the Aces this season. She never made filling that role a priority and extending contracts to players such as Kierstan Bell is a waste of money and a roster spot for the organization.

My understanding is the team wanted Bell and Colson on the team. I don’t think it all lands on her shoulders

 

[Zanzman]

But at the end of the day that stills falls on the GM primarily. She's ultimately responsible on who they draft and pick up in free agency. There's a quote of her before the trade deadline saying she was content with the roster and was prioritizing chemistry over talent.

Other teams have caught up and not being proactive cost them in the end. CT and Minnesota both made changes mid-season that made their team better and that's been lacking for Vegas this past season.

Signed tiffany hayes

 

[GCKSFN4L]

Signed tiffany hayes

A great get but apparently Becky was responsible for picking her up. A great move from Natalie to sign her but overall pretty poor for a team with championship aspirations imo.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Like everything else, judgement of "the best" WNBA coaches is problematic.

Reeve is one of the best, Brondello better than folks act. Thibault (Mike) was very successful.

Of the much more historic group, clearly Van Chancellor, Bill Laimbeer, Brian Agler and Michael Cooper stand out.

Hammon and White and a number of other coaches "look" very good, but don't have the lengthy record to make a case. Even the successful coaches in the early days just didn't stay all that long, as a rule. I do expect Hammon and White to eventually establish themselves among the best, given time.

 

[JellyBean]

Natalie Williams out as GM in Vegas. All I can say is finally.

I am probably a little late to the party on this one but....

 

[Geew1992]

A great get but apparently Becky was responsible for picking her up. A great move from Natalie to sign her but overall pretty poor for a team with championship aspirations imo.

Well…. Then Becky is some what responsible for the team.

 

[cancontent]

Where Sabally lands will be interesting. With all these teams in flux with respect to having a coach and/or GM, who knows?

 

[nwhoopfan]

If Sabally and Howard both leave, Dallas is down to Ogunbowale and...?

 

[GamecockFam]

Where Sabally lands will be interesting. With all these teams in flux with respect to having a coach and/or GM, who knows?

I know from a Fever fan perspective that they want NaLyssa to move to another team so they can make room for Satou or Nneka alongside Boston as a starter while keeping Fagbenle and Dantas as backups.

 

[bballnut90]

Sides is gone. Guessing we’ll see them announce White as the new coach very soon

 

[Stagnant]

Christie Sides officially got the sack. And I think she is a really nice lady that tried her best. But she’s not a run and gun coach. She prefers a slower pace with an emphasis on defense. And that doesn’t suit a team with Caitlin clark imo.

 

[CajunHusk94]

Christie Sides officially got the sack. And I think she is a really nice lady that tried her best. But she’s not a run and gun coach. She prefers a slower pace with an emphasis on defense. And that doesn’t suit a team with Caitlin clark imo.

Respectfully they adjusted their style of play and were playing run and gun for most of the season. She sat Wallace and inserted hull into the lineup, adjusted the offensive scheme which also was beneficial for Kelsey Mitchell who was thriving this year.

Unless they have Stephanie White lined up taking this job, this doesn't make much sense IMO, they weren't that bad and actually significantly improved as a team through the entire season.

 

[cancontent]

Christie Sides officially got the sack. And I think she is a really nice lady that tried her best. But she’s not a run and gun coach. She prefers a slower pace with an emphasis on defense. And that doesn’t suit a team with Caitlin clark imo.

The worst kept secret after the news about White being in talks. Man this off season is going to be something. Definitely worth getting some popcorn.

 

[JellyBean]

Christie Sides officially got the sack. And I think she is a really nice lady that tried her best. But she’s not a run and gun coach. She prefers a slower pace with an emphasis on defense. And that doesn’t suit a team with Caitlin clark imo.

I just saw this breaking news. Coach Sides, two years as the leader of the Fever, did better than most ever thought she would do in that 2-year span. She took over a franchise that had 2-3 year run of 5-7 wins and got that franchise to 13 wins in her season, with a young roster and 20 wins this season, despite odds stacked against her. I will be curious to see who Indiana brings in and if they regress or keep improving. I feel for Coach Sides and wish her all the best. This is the nature of the coaching profession, and it is never pleasant to see a promising coach get replaced when a team is making strides in improvement.

 

[nwhoopfan]

She sat Wallace and inserted hull into the lineup

Wallace barely played after early in the season. It was Samuelson who found herself on the bench more when Hull emerged down the stretch.