The Dallas Wings have employed their new head coach: Chris Koclanes, an assistant on the College of Southern California who beforehand served as an assistant coach within the WNBA beneath Curt Miller for 8 years. Koclanes has been an integral member of the teaching employees that has helped lead JuJu Watkins and the Trojans to an 11-1 file to start the yr.
Miller, now the overall supervisor of the Wings, opted for somebody he is aware of nicely for the pinnacle coach position after a prolonged search. Koclanes will change Latricia Trammell, who was fired after two seasons in Dallas.
Chris Koclane’s teaching resume spans each the WNBA and NCAA
Koclanes has an expansive background in teaching, although he has but to function head coach. He was Miller’s longtime defensive coordinator, each with the Los Angeles Sparks (2023) and Connecticut Solar (2016-2022). The Sparks had the league’s third-best protection beneath Koclanes, whereas the Solar persistently completed within the high three. Now, in his second season as an assistant beneath Lindsay Gottlieb at USC, who’re 11-1 on the yr.
USC has been led by standout rookie JuJu Watkins, who’s averaging 24.8 factors and 5.8 rebounds and has been probably the greatest gamers within the nation. Koclanes has spoken extremely of Watkins all through his tenure; in April, he expressed his perception the star guard was WNBA-ready, per Thuc Nhi Nguyen of The Los Angeles Occasions
“If I’m being fully trustworthy, I feel she may come off the bench and be a spark plug for someone proper now,” Koclanes stated. “She must adapt as a result of from highschool to varsity, now faculty to the professional, it’s an entire different stage of pace, physicality. However the way in which she’s been capable of regulate already right here, she’s going to have the ability to do it.”
It’s a interval of change for the Wings, who completed with a 9-31 file final season, which was second-worst within the WNBA. Dallas received the Draft Lottery final month, in order that they’ll have the No. 1 decide within the 2025 draft, who’s broadly anticipated to be UConn star Paige Bueckers. (Watkins has two extra years in faculty after this season, although she’s expressed her need to enter the draft early if the foundations have been modified).
Satou Sabally and Natasha Howard are each unrestricted free brokers, whereas Arike Ogunbowale has been the workforce’s cornerstone for the previous few seasons.
Curt Miller had beforehand stated the teaching search can be expansive — and that it was aided by the actual fact Dallas had the No. 1 total decide.
“All through our in depth search and interview course of, Chris continued to rise to the highest and test the containers of our necessary pillars,” Miller stated in an official press launch. “He’s a servant chief who locations a excessive worth on connection, collaboration, and a constructive and constant communication type with all these he coaches. Chris is a unbelievable instructor of the sport and has an excellent basketball IQ. He’s dedicated to participant growth and has a ahead pondering and progressive thoughts for the sport. He’s a tireless employee with a basis constructed by means of preparation.”
Koclanes stated he was excited concerning the alternative to imagine the pinnacle coach position in Dallas.
“I stay up for partnering with our possession, entrance workplace and gamers to create a sustainable championship tradition that’s felt on and off the ground, and in the neighborhood,” Koclanes stated. “I’m excited to help and empower the ladies of this league as we proceed to raise the WNBA to new heights. ”