5 of the WNBA’s 15 groups are searching for new head coaches as a turbulent offseason prepares to get underway.
Because the Las Vegas Aces have a good time the jackpot of one other championship in Sin Metropolis, a number of of their WNBA sisters are searching for new pit bosses.
The teaching carousel set to spin this WNBA offseason takes on a extra unsure tune. As if the lingering stress and drama over ongoing collective bargaining settlement negotiations weren’t palpable sufficient, a 3rd of the league’s 15 groups are working by them with out a head coach stationed within the high slot.
That features the maiden voyages that should be captained in Portland and Toronto, each of that are scheduled to make their WNBA debuts subsequent season. The 2024 champion New York Liberty can also be searching for a brand new chief after its title protection ended within the first spherical, whereas would-be Western contenders Dallas and Seattle will likewise look to the longer term.
Which vacancies will really stand out to potential candidates? Ballislife presents an influence rating beneath.
T-4. Portland Fireplace/Toronto Tempo
Outgoing: N/A
It’s onerous to write down up any WNBA preview at this level, due to the uncertainty surrounding the CBA talks. That activity turns into downright Herculean when making an attempt to research the Fireplace and Tempo, neither of whom has nary a basket or participant to their title as they put together to take the ground in 2026.
One might maybe give the Tempo the sting, contemplating the rebooted Fireplace is working with an interim president (former Nike exec Claire Hamill changing the fired Inky Son in June), however that seems like a petty purpose to drop them, contemplating that each side are in comparable spots, with neither realizing how the upcoming enlargement draft will work.
The actual fact of the matter is that the Fireplace and Tempo—by no fault of their very own—kind of symbolize the considerably well-earned hubris the league carried into this yr, which now sees the announcement of 5 new groups function the relative quiet earlier than the storm of labor negotiations. That’s going to make it troublesome for any new coach to guide a Golden State-style revolution that Natalie Nakase put forth in her debut, because the 2026 newcomers, at the least at this level, seem to easily be within the mistaken place on the mistaken time.
3. Seattle Storm
Outgoing: Noelle Quinn
All in all, the Storm’s post-Sue Chook/Breanna Stewart period has gone in addition to might moderately be anticipated, contemplating a comparatively muted method in maintaining with the top-heavy trendy W (particularly contemplating that it began with an 11-win slog in 2023). The Storm took an in-season likelihood in including Brittney Sykes this time round, they usually wound up giving the eventual champion Aces all they might deal with in a three-game opening set.
What occurs subsequent isn’t so assuring past the truth that the Storm reached so far as it might go along with Quinn, who carried out respectably after she was thrust into the highest spot amidst Dan Hughes’ early exit in 2022. Seattle entered this season with the oldest opening roster within the Affiliation and has some selections to make on such skilled expertise like Skylar Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike, and Erica Wheeler.
The Seattle Storm and head coach Noelle Quinn are parting methods.
Quinn led the Storm to the playoffs in 4 of 5 seasons however by no means captured a title. This yr ended with a first-round exit.
✍️@SaraJGamelli on what it means & what’s subsequent for Seattle.
👉https://t.co/8FXgirhnPG pic.twitter.com/bn3WqGJOfg
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) September 21, 2025
The newest No. 2 choose, Dominique Malonga, is an intriguing mission to work with, particularly with the way in which she closed out her freshman tour, and is one among a number of leftovers on contract. That group additionally contains intriguing younger initiatives Jordan Horston and Nika Muhl, however they’re each recovering from ACL accidents that worn out their respective 2024 seasons.
little bit of the attract of the Pacific Northwest will finally come all the way down to how they’re in a position to reshape or retain the present roster as soon as the CBA mud settles, and that’s one thing possession (that includes Chook and Seattle Seahawks legend Bobby Wagner) will little doubt regulate. Whether or not it’s sufficient to lift reputable, lasting challenges to Western Convention sisters like Las Vegas and Minnesota, nevertheless, stays to be seen, inserting an aura of uncertainty over the job because it stands.
2. New York Liberty
Outgoing: Sandy Brondello
Endurance is a advantage, however it’s extra of a well mannered suggestion in Brooklyn at this level on the franchise timeline, which continues to be lower than a yr faraway from the primary championship in franchise historical past and simply underwent a title protection stricken by accidents, on the lookout for extra.
On paper, the Liberty seemingly has one of the crucial, if not probably the most, enticing WNBA head teaching alternatives in current reminiscence. There’s a devoted dedication from administration, headlined by normal supervisor Jonathan Kolb, and two-way sensation Leonie Fiebich, who continues to be on her rookie contract (as is 2024 Finals heroine Nyara Sabally). Stewart supplied a verbal dedication shortly after New York’s first-round elimination, and there’s no purpose to imagine that fellow franchise face Sabrina Ionescu goes anyplace.
New York Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb on parting methods with Sandy Brondello:
“It was very a lot into consideration final season.”@GrantAfseth highlights New York’s struggles and what the Liberty need of their subsequent head coach.
👉https://t.co/WoXBM6QNrK pic.twitter.com/l8OOTaWtkf
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) September 25, 2025
Kolb stated in a season-closing press convention that he has the “utmost confidence” {that a} good little bit of the elite New York core, which additionally options Finals MVP Jonquel Jones, will make its method again. Mix that with the continued dedication of the Tsai household within the proprietor’s field and New York figures to stay round within the W’s penthouse for the foreseeable future.
However the truth that the Liberty bid farewell to an achieved boss in Brondello hammers house a championship or bust mentality, one which might not be enticing to incoming suited sideline abilities. Metropolitan administration believes that the stress could also be a part of the attraction, however it’s clear that whoever takes up the seafoam spot higher understands what they’re entering into.
1. Dallas Wings
Outgoing: Chris Koclanes
Dallas completed on the backside of the league final season, and it’s not like an excellent little bit of their second-half video games had been comparatively shut. Nonetheless, there’s a palpable sense of pleasure round North Texas basketball, the place opening expectations are modest, and it seems like there can be room to develop organically.
What really works out within the Wings’ favor is that they’re are flying comparatively excessive in relation to their record of gamers underneath contract: the presence of newly-minted Rookie of the 12 months Paige Bueckers, who fulfilled expectations after which some after going No. 1 final spring, speaks for itself whereas the Wings are additionally set to hold the potential-packed circumstances of Maddy Siegrist and Diamond Miller.
4 minutes of Paige Bueckers bag work👀
(by way of @pitlessball) pic.twitter.com/jB7JFpkuNP https://t.co/m8EkUwx4IK
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) September 16, 2025
The case of Miller is especially intriguing, because the second total choose of the 2023 draft was acquired within the DiJonai Carrington deal on the final commerce deadline. She is searching for to regain the narrative of her WNBA profession after accidents and veteran emergence ate away at her alternatives with the Lynx.
Different younger initiatives underneath contract embody Aziaha James and JJ Quinerly, in addition to worldwide mission Lou Lopez Sénéchal. Dallas additionally carries the most effective odds to land the highest choose within the 2026 draft, which might properly be used on Bueckers’ private {and professional} accomplice, Azzi Fudd, who is about to embark on a school career-closing championship protection at UConn.
That can give the brand new coach a strong, younger basis to work with, and the funding from administration is there with the promise of a 70,700-square-foot crew facility attributable to open earlier than subsequent season. Dallas is little doubt a fixer-upper, however it’s the kind of renovation mission that may be enjoyable.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
