The WNBA is full of talented teams, but every good squad starts with a strong leader on the sidelines. From longtime veterans to rising stars in coaching, these head coaches bring their styles and strategies that help shape their teams’ identities.
2025 WNBA Head Coaches
Atlanta Dream – Karl Smesko
Karl Smesko is the head coach of the Atlanta Dream. His coaching focuses more on the analytical side of the game, known as “Smesko-ball,” which targets high-volume three-point shooting and efficient scoring.
He spent 23 seasons at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), building the women’s basketball program into a powerhouse with a 611–110 record, 14 ASUN regular-season titles, 11 ASUN tournament wins, and 10 NCAA Tournament appearances. His FGCU teams had 14 straight 25-win seasons, a streak matched only by UConn.
Chicago Sky – Tyler Marsh
The Chicago Sky’s head coach, Tyler Marsh, brings rich experience from the NBA, WNBA, and G League, including championship runs with the Toronto Raptors (2019) and Las Vegas Aces (2022–2023).
He’s known for his attention to detail, forward-thinking mentality, and ability to develop under-the-radar talent into key contributors, like Jackie Young, whose shooting game improved significantly under his guidance.
Connecticut Sun – Rachid Meziane
The Connecticut Sun’s head coach, Rachid Meziane, has led Villeneuve d’Ascq to a French league title and a EuroLeague Women runner-up finish in 2023–24 with a 19–3 record and a dominant playoff run.
As Belgium’s national team coach, he guided them to their first EuroBasket Women’s gold (2023) and a 4th place finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Previously, he was part of France’s coaching staff, which won multiple European medals and an Olympic bronze in 2020. He focuses more on
Indiana Fever – Stephanie White
Stephanie White’s return to the Indiana Fever in 2025 is a big moment for the franchise, bringing back a familiar face with a profound legacy. She was named WNBA Coach of the Year in 2023 after leading the Connecticut Sun to a franchise-record 27 wins and a No. 3 playoff seed, despite losing MVP Jonquel Jones and Brionna Jones to injury.
Back in 2015, during her first stint as head coach, she took the Fever to the WNBA Finals, and earlier, as an assistant coach, she helped the team win the WNBA Championship in 2012. She is known for an adaptable, player-friendly style. White blends structure with creativity, which allows high-IQ players like Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell to flourish.
Golden State Valkyries – Natalie Nakase
In their inaugural WNBA season, the Golden State Valkyries named Natalie Nakase the franchise’s first head coach on Oct. 10, 2024. She became the first Asian American head coach in WNBA history. She played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins from 1998 to 2003 and was also the first Asian American player in the National Women’s Basketball League.
After a knee injury forced her to end her playing career, she became the head coach of a women’s team in Germany before becoming the first female head coach in Japan’s top pro men’s league.
She returned to the US in 2012 to join the Los Angeles Clippers as a video intern. She was an assistant for the Clippers G League team, Agua Caliente, and the NBA franchise before joining the Las Vegas Aces in 2022.
New York Liberty – Sandy Brondello
Sandy Brondello has transformed the New York Liberty since becoming the head coach in 2022. She has 17 years of coaching experience, including a 2014 WNBA title with the Phoenix Mercury.
Under her leadership, the Liberty won their first-ever Commissioner’s Cup in 2023 and captured the franchise’s inaugural WNBA championship in 2024 after an epic overtime comeback. Her playing style shows that she is more focused on a player-centered approach.
Washington Mystics — Sydney Johnson
Sydney Johnson, named head coach of the Washington Mystics in late 2024, brings over 25 years of basketball experience, including a standout playing career at Princeton, where he earned Ivy League Player of the Year honors and set records.
He used to coach at Princeton and Fairfield and served as an assistant with the Chicago Sky before joining the Mystics, known for leading teams to titles and postseason appearances. Recently, he led the USA women’s 3×3 team to a silver medal at the FIBA AmeriCup.
Dallas Wings — Chris Koclanes
Chris Koclanes took over as head coach of the Dallas Wings in late 2024, bringing over a decade of experience in women’s basketball and a strong reputation for defensive coaching and player development.
Before joining the Wings, he served as an assistant coach at USC, helping lead the team to its first Elite Eight appearance in nearly 30 years, and was defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Sparks and Connecticut Sun, where his defenses ranked among the league’s best and helped the Sun reach multiple WNBA Finals.
Las Vegas Aces — Becky Hammon
Becky Hammon has been a game-changer for the Las Vegas Aces, bringing her legendary playing career and pioneering coaching style to the WNBA. As a six-time All-Star and one of the league’s greatest players, Hammon made history as the first full-time female NBA assistant coach before leading the Aces to back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023, winning Coach of the Year in her rookie season.
Los Angeles Sparks — Lynne Roberts
The head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks has around three decades of experience, and she has completely changed the programs around Utah, Pacific, and Chico State. She went 165–116 at Utah, led the team to a Sweet Sixteen in 2023, and earned Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors.
She’s known for her fast-paced, three-heavy offense and modern, analytics-driven style that avoids mid-range shots. Roberts also shines in player development, helping talents like Alissa Pili go pro, focusing on building strong relationships and team culture.
Minnesota Lynx — Cheryl Reeve
Cheryl Reeve has been the heart and soul of the Minnesota Lynx since 2010, building one of the WNBA’s most successful dynasties with four championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) and becoming the only coach to win Coach of the Year four times.
She hit another high in 2024 by snagging Coach and Executive of the Year honors and leading Team USA to Olympic gold. Reeve’s known for her tough-love approach, team-first mentality, and flexible game tactics—like the small-ball move that sparked a 2024 Finals comeback. She has over 300 wins and the best playoff win rate in league history.
Phoenix Mercury — Nate Tibbetts
Nate Tibbetts took over as the head coach of the Phoenix Mercury in October 2023, bringing nearly 20 years of coaching experience from the NBA and G League, including stints with the Magic, Blazers, and Cavs. He’s known for his NBA-style approach—fast-paced offense, lots of spacing, and a heavy focus on three-point shooting.
Seattle Storm — Noelle Quinn
Noelle Quinn has been leading the Seattle Storm since 2021, making history as the first Black head coach in franchise history. She’s the only person to win a championship with the Storm as a player (2018) and coach (2020).
She rebounded from a rough 2023 season (11–29) to lead the Storm to a 25–15 finish in 2024, powered by a top-five defense. Her adaptability was key as she tailored the team’s style to its strengths, despite challenges like rebounding issues and a first-round playoff exit.