What’s causing the firing blitz of WNBA coaches? 7 franchises are hiring

In the upcoming weeks, WNBA general managers and head coaches will convene at their annual fall competition meeting to evaluate the 2024 season and explore potential changes for the next year. In previous meetings, there were enough coaches present to hypothetically form a five-on-five game. However, this year, there will only be sufficient participants for a three-on-three match.

Approximately 60 percent of the WNBA’s head coaches from last season lost their positions during this offseason, making it a busy and unprecedented fall. This cycle saw the most coaching changes in league history with seven departures.

Three teams made coaching changes despite making the playoffs: Tanisha Wright, Christie Sides, and Stephanie White. Notably, Sides aided the Fever in a significant win total increase during Caitlin Clark’s impressive rookie season. White, just a year removed from winning Coach of the Year, was close to a WNBA Finals berth. Additionally, Curt Miller, who had led the Sun to a finals appearance two years earlier, was out after rebuilding the Los Angeles Sparks’ roster.

While each coaching change has its unique circumstances, some suggest a common theme, highlighting the increasing importance of the league as it experiences rapid growth.

Many believe that the league’s remarkable growth is influencing coaching stability.

According to a former WNBA head coach, Fred Williams, when ownership seeks change, the head coach is often the first casualty.

The spree of firings marks a significant shift in the WNBA, aligning it more closely with other sports leagues.

For WNBA coaches, sustained success no longer guarantees job security.

The league’s recent surge in popularity is impacting coaching decisions, with franchises aiming to solidify their foundations ahead of a pivotal free agency period in 2026.

These coaching changes have been unfolding over the past month, raising questions about each team’s direction and decision-making.

While coaching in the WNBA carries prestige, the compensation range varies widely, highlighting the lack of job stability in recent years.

It’s evident that the WNBA is evolving, with a shift towards separating coaching and general manager roles to increase organizational accountability.

Success in the WNBA is no longer a guarantee of longevity, signaling a new era in the league where coaches face increased scrutiny and competitive pressure.

This period of change is a historic anomaly for the WNBA, aligning it more closely with the broader landscape of modern sports. For coaches seeking stability, the WNBA is no longer a sanctuary.

— The Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant contributed to this report.

(Photos of Teresa Weatherspoon and Christie Sides: Patrick McDermott / Getty Images, Erica Denhoff / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)