WNBA coaching tracker: Wings, Paige Bueckers get new coach; Sandy Brondello lands with Tempo

The WNBA coaching carousel continues to spin and both expansion team positions are now filled. The Portland Fire announced that they have hired Alex Sarama, while the Toronto Tempo will hire Sandy Brondello. The Dallas Wings, meanwhile, went back to college and hired Jose Fernandez away from the University of South Florida.

Now that the Wings, Fire and Tempo have made their decisions, there are two openings left: New York Liberty and Seattle Storm. All three of these teams made coaching changes earlier this offseason. The Liberty parted ways with Brondello and the Storm decided not to move forward with Noelle Quinn.

Tempo hires Sandy Brondello: Former Liberty coach to lead Toronto’s WNBA expansion franchise, report says

Robby Kalland

Quinn’s departure was expected. The Storm have won just one playoff series since taking over in 2021 and she was investigated last offseason for alleged bullying and harassment. Likewise, it was not that surprising to see Koclanes removed from office. He went 10-34 in his first season in charge of the Wings and didn’t seem cut out for the job. On the other hand, the Liberty’s decision to part ways with Brondello just a year after leading the franchise to its first championship came as a shock to many.

It’s unlikely we’ll see any more coaching changes this winter. Seven teams changed coaches this past offseason, and if you count Natalie Nakase with the expansion Golden State Valkyries, eight coaches started new jobs. One of them, Koclanes, has already been fired, and the only other one who might be in trouble is Tyler Marsh, who went 10-34 with the Chicago Sky. However, if the Sky were to move on from Marsh, they likely would have done so by now.

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Jack Maloney

Of the five teams that entered the 2025 season with established coaches, the Storm and Liberty have made changes. The Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury reached the finals, and Becky Hammon and Nate Tibbets enjoy excellent job security. So did Cheryl Reeve, despite the Minnesota Lynx’s early exit from the playoffs.

Tracking WNBA Coaches

Wings

Out: Chris Kloclanes

After several years as an assistant at the WNBA and college levels – working largely under Curt Miller, who is now the Wings’ general manager – Koclanes got the chance to run the show himself. His only season with the Wings was a disaster. He never looked comfortable in charge, and the Wings finished in last place at 10-34 and set the league’s single-season losing record. By the end of the season, fans were chanting “We want Nola!” » during games, asking the team to replace Koclanes with assistant Nola Henry. The Wings will now be looking for their third coach in as many years.

In: José Fernández

USF coach Jose Fernandez is moving from the college ranks to the WNBA after 25 years coaching the Bulls. After leading South Florida to 10 NCAA tournaments, including eight of the last 11 seasons, he will succeed the Wings and Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers after posting a 10-34 record in 2025.

Freedom

Out: Sandy Brondello

Brondello enjoyed a very successful tenure at the helm of the Liberty. In his four seasons at the helm, the team went 107-53, won a franchise-record 32 games in 2023 and 2024, never missed the playoffs and made two appearances in the Finals. In 2024, she led the Liberty to the first championship in franchise history and in 2023, she helped win the Commissioner’s Cup title. Ultimately, these accomplishments were overshadowed by a disappointing 2025 campaign. The Liberty were plagued by injuries, finished in fifth place and were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Mercury.

In: to be determined

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Jack Maloney

Fire

Output: N/A

In: Alex Sarama

Sarama, born in England, has a fascinating background. He has worked with Paris Basketball and the London Lions – where he briefly rubbed shoulders with Fire general manager Vanja Černivec – as well as the Rip City Remix, the G League affiliate of the Portland Trail Blazers and the Cleveland Cavaliers. He also founded Transforming Basketball in 2023, which is “widely regarded as a world-leading resource for basketball coach education,” and is a leading proponent of the Constraints Approach, or CLA, an innovative training technique. He was highly regarded with the Cavaliers, but it remains to be seen if he will work as a head coach.

Portland Fire coaching hire: WNBA expansion team to hire Alex Sarama from Cleveland Cavaliers, report says

Jack Maloney

Storm

Released: Noëlle Quinn

Quinn, who won a championship with the Storm as a player, joined Seattle’s coaching staff as an assistant in 2019, immediately following her retirement. In 2021, she was elevated to head coach after Dan Hughes resigned due to health reasons. Although she led the Storm to four playoff appearances, they only won one series despite an abundance of talent and never finished higher than sixth in the league in offensive rating. Additionally, Quinn was investigated for alleged bullying and harassment of players. A second consecutive elimination in the first round in 2025 was the final straw.

In: to be determined

Tempo

Output: N/A

In: Sandy Brondello

The Liberty’s decision to shake things up was a major victory for the Tempo, who were able to hire Brondello as the first coach in franchise history. Brondello is one of the best coaches in league history. She has a lifetime record of 269-181, is sixth on the all-time wins list and has won championships with two different franchises (Phoenix Mercury in 2014, Liberty in 2024). Brondello is highly regarded by her players and staff wherever she goes and will help establish a winning culture in Toronto as the franchise begins its WNBA journey.