WNBA head coaching turnover could signify growth era for league

The GIST: On Friday, the Indiana Fever hired former Connecticut Sun head coach (HC) and former Fever player (and HC) Stephanie White. She fills one of seven recent HC vacancies as the league sees unprecedented turnover: Nearly 60% of last year’s coaches are no longer in the same role, the most for any WNBA hiring cycle in history.

• While each coaching change happened for different reasons, industry experts see the turnover trend as one of the many changes to expect in the new-look, billion-dollar W. Switch.

The background: The firings weren’t necessarily reflective of job performance as three teams parted with their HCs despite making the playoffs. And while Curt Miller’s and Tanisha Wright’s departures weren’t surprising, Chicago’s decision to fire Hall of Famer Teresa Weatherspoon faced blowback before the team hired Las Vegas Aces assistant coach Tyler Marsh on Saturday.

• Though some moves have been shocking, leadership turnover is nothing unusual in sport or in business. Half of the NBA’s coaches have been there three or fewer years, while general CEO turnover hit a five-year high in 2022.

The why: With more eyes on the W than ever, owners are more invested in gaining a competitive edge, which includes pursuing exceptional coaches. They’ve often looked to the NBA and the G League by rewarding HCs like the Phoenix Mercury’s Nate Tibbetts and Las Vegas Aces’ Becky Hammon with record contracts, but may continue to look within the W as the Fever and Sky both did.

• It’s also a savvy move to hire new HCs now to build a strong foundation before player contracts jump in value in 2026, when athletes are expected to have a new CBA and the media rights windfall begins.

Zooming out: As drastic as the coaching turnover may seem, W franchises are pressing for the best coaches out there — and they should soon have the salaries to match. Powerhouse NCAA programs like South Carolina and LSU are paying their coaches double (or even triple) what pro coaches make, but the WNBA is now positioned to catch up. Chalk it up to growing pains.