Dallas Wings Part Ways with Koclanes Following Disappointing 10-34 WNBA Season
Dallas Wings Part Ways with Head Coach Chris Koclanes After Disappointing Season
The Dallas Wings have decided to release head coach Chris Koclanes after just one season, as announced by the team on Tuesday. Koclanes was appointed by the team’s executive vice president and general manager, Curt Miller, following a stint as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Sparks under Miller’s leadership. His hiring sparked hope for significant improvement, particularly with the addition of promising players Paige Bueckers, DiJonai Carrington, and NaLyssa Smith.
Struggles Despite High Expectations
Despite strong expectations, the Wings concluded the season tied for the WNBA’s poorest record at 10-34, mirroring their previous season’s 9-31 record under former coach Latricia Trammell. The team faced challenges as Carrington and Smith were traded during the season, disrupting continuity.
Bright Spots Amid Challenges
Paige Bueckers emerged as a standout player, earning the Rookie of the Year title and a position as an All-Star starter. With an impressive average of 19.2 points per game (PPG) and 5.4 assists per game (APG), Bueckers ranked fifth all-time in rookie scoring. Despite these individual achievements, the team struggled with injuries, with Myisha Hines-Allen being the only player to participate in at least 40 of the season’s 44 games.
Persistent Defensive Issues
Dallas faced persistent defensive challenges throughout the season, ranking 12th among the 13 teams in defensive rating. The team utilized 18 different starting lineups, tying with the New York Liberty for the most in the WNBA this season, according to data from Basketball-Reference.com.
Future Directions for the Dallas Wings
In a statement, Curt Miller expressed the organization’s commitment to evolving their on-court and off-court culture as they aspire for WNBA championships. “As we enter a pivotal point in our team’s future, we felt a change in leadership at this time was best for our organization,” he stated.
WNBA Coaching Carousel
Koclanes is the third head coach to be dismissed since the end of the WNBA regular season, following changes made by the New York Liberty and the Seattle Storm. Meanwhile, the expansion franchises Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo are actively seeking new head coaches for their inaugural seasons.
