rewrite this content and keep HTML tags (remove this from content : rewrite this content and keep HTML tags)
Ahead of Unrivaled’s second campaign, starting in January 2026, the league announced its eight head coaches. Four of the six inaugural coaches have been retained, remaining with their squads: Andrew Wade (Laces BC), DJ Sackmann (Lunar Owls BC), Nola Henry (Rose BC, defending champs), and Teresa Weatherspoon (Vinyl BC). Both Phil Handy and Adam Harrington will not be returning, creating openings with Mist BC and Phantom BC.
“We’re thrilled to add such exceptional talent to our head coaching roster in our second season, elevating the strong foundation established by our inaugural coaching staffs across Unrivaled,” Unrivaled GM Clare Duwelius said. “We thank Phil [Handy] and Adam [Harrington] for their leadership last season and look forward to building on the momentum for the league this year.”
Zach O’Brien (Mist BC) and Roneeka Hodges (Phantom BC) fill those vacancies. The other two newcomers, Noelle Quinn (Breeze BC) and Rena Wakama (Hive BC), will helm the additional franchises that have been added for 2026.
Breeze BC: Noelle Quinn
Hive BC: Rena Wakama
Laces BC: Andrew Wade
Lunar Owls BC: DJ Sackmann
Mist BC: Zach O’Brien
Phantom BC: Roneeka Hodges
Rose BC: Nola Henry
Vinyl BC: Teresa Weatherspoon
Both Hodges (an associate head coach with the Connecticut Sun in 2025) and Quinn (associate head coach with the Seattle Storm in 2020, head coach 2021-2025 seasons) bring WNBA head coaching experience to Unrivaled, joining Weatherspoon (Chicago Sky, 2024).
The New York Liberty, in particular, are well represented in these coaching ranks, with Wade and O’Brien on last year’s sideline, and Hodges a member of Sandy Brondello’s title-winning staff in 2024. Henry and Wakama are currently assistants with the Dallas Wings and Sky, respectively, and, rounding out the group, Sackmann brings 15 years of experience as a skills coach across the WNBA and NBA.
In addition to this coaching news, today Unrivaled announced its final three additions to this year’s primary player pool: Aari McDonald (Indiana Fever), Rebecca Allen (Sky), and Dominique Malonga (Storm). These three makes it 19 first-timers in the announced 48-player group. Earlier this morning, Unrivaled stated that DiJonai Carrington, who played in the inaugural season would miss the 2026 season with an injury suffered while on the Minnesota Lynx this past summer.
About Unrivaled: Unrivaled is a professional women’s basketball league innovating the women’s professional sports landscape with a groundbreaking model centered on investing in its athletes. Co-Founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, Unrivaled is player-owned, providing participating players equity opportunities for a vested interest in the league’s success. Launched in January 2025, Unrivaled features the current top women’s basketball stars in the world across eight clubs for a 3-on-3, compressed full court style of play.
