ATLANTA DREAM: KARL SMESKO
Karl Smesko joins the WNBA after 23 successful years at Florida Gulf Coast University, where he posted the third-highest winning percentage (.829) among active coaches, trailing only Geno Auriemma (UConn) and Kim Mulkey (LSU). Known for his teams’ elite three-point shooting, Smesko will coach a Dream squad featuring standout players Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray.
CHICAGO SKY: TYLER MARSH
Tyler Marsh takes over the Sky after helping the Las Vegas Aces secure consecutive championships in 2022 and 2023 as an assistant coach. Marsh inherits a talented roster highlighted by Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso and will also have the No. 3 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
CONNECTICUT SUN: RACHID MEZIANE
Rachid Meziane transitions to the WNBA following a distinguished coaching career in France and with Belgium’s national team, which finished fourth at the Paris Olympics. The Sun face uncertainty heading into 2025, with many key players entering free agency.
DALLAS WINGS: CHRIS KOCLANES
Chris Koclanes reunites with former Connecticut colleague Curt Miller, now the Wings’ general manager, after serving as an assistant coach for the Sun from 2016 to 2022. The Wings hold the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft and boast a strong core led by Arike Ogunbowale.
GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES: NATALIE NAKASE
Natalie Nakase becomes the first head coach of the expansion Golden State Valkyries. Previously an assistant with the Las Vegas Aces, Nakase will lead a team formed through this month’s expansion draft and will pick fifth in the 2024 WNBA Draft. The franchise is expected to make significant moves in free agency.
INDIANA FEVER: STEPHANIE WHITE
Stephanie White returns to the Fever after guiding the Connecticut Sun to the playoffs in the past two seasons. With rising stars Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, winners of the last two Rookie of the Year awards, White takes over a team with immense potential.
LOS ANGELES SPARKS: LYNNE ROBERTS
Lynne Roberts heads back to her home state of California after nine successful seasons at Utah, where she earned Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors in 2023. The Sparks, last year’s bottom team, have a promising young roster featuring Rickea Jackson, Cameron Brink, and Dearica Hamby, along with the No. 2 pick in the draft.
WASHINGTON MYSTICS: SYDNEY JOHNSON
Sydney Johnson joins the Mystics after working with USA Basketball and serving as an assistant coach for the Chicago Sky last season. Johnson, a former men’s coach at Fairfield University, will lead a team narrowly missing the playoffs in 2024. Key players include Shakira Austin, Brittney Sykes, and Ariel Atkins.
