Contingency plans are necessary when facing tougher opponents.
Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca is well aware of this as he pursues Stephanie White, a highly sought-after candidate. The challenge is not his goal, but the competition he’s up against, particularly the Fever.
Sources say that White, currently under contract with the Sun until 2025, is considering offers from the Sky, the Fever, and her current team. The Fever presents unique advantages that the Sky and the Sun can’t match.
With the Fever, White would have family nearby, a top-notch organization, and the chance to coach rising star Caitlin Clark. It’s clear that Clark has the potential to become the best player in the league in the near future.
While Pagliocca is still pursuing White, he should have a backup plan in place. The Sky have already started discussions with other potential candidates, including Curt Miller and Latricia Trammell.
As of now, there are five coaching vacancies in the WNBA, with the possibility of more opening up. The pool of qualified candidates is limited, leading to potential coaching changes in teams like the Sparks, Sky, Mystics, Dream, and Wings.
Assistant coaches like Tyler Marsh, Trammell, and Katie Smith are being considered for head coaching positions. The lack of depth in the coaching pool raises the question of looking to the college ranks for talent.
The best college coaches are earning significantly more than some of the highest-paid WNBA coaches. Addressing salary concerns could attract top college coaches to the professional league.
The Sky might face financial limitations in their pursuit of White, given their history of coaching salaries. Plan B may involve further discussions with Trammell and Miller.
With the upcoming draft events, Pagliocca doesn’t need to rush but having a coach before the expansion draft would be ideal. This gives the Sky time to consider other candidates if they miss out on White.
