Dallas Wings Fire Coach Chris Koclanes After One Troubled Season

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Wings have parted ways with head coach Chris Koclanes after a disappointing 10-34 season, the team announced Tuesday. This decision follows a season in which the Wings finished with the worst record in the WNBA, equal to their 2024 performance under former coach Latricia Trammell.

Koclanes, who was hired last year by executive vice president and general manager Curt Miller, was expected to lead an improving team after drafting No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers and making significant acquisitions in the off-season. Despite Bueckers earning Rookie of the Year honors, averaging 19.2 points and 5.4 assists per game, the team struggled to find consistent success.

<p“On behalf of the Dallas Wings, I want to thank Chris for his many and immediate contributions to the organization this past season,” Miller stated. “The Dallas Wings remain dedicated to their pursuit of WNBA championships and building upon the strong culture established on and off the court.”

In an unusually tumultuous season, Dallas used 21 different players and cycled through 18 starting lineups, a league high, causing instability within the roster. Injuries plagued the team, as only one player, veteran forward Arike Ogunbowale, managed to play over 40 games of the 44-game season.

With the conclusion of the season, the Wings must now begin a search for a new head coach, marking this as the franchise’s fifth coach in seven years. The team is also under construction on a new practice facility set to open before the next WNBA season.

The franchise has now joined four other teams in searching for a new head coach as it aims to rebuild and lay a strong foundation for future success.