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In honor of Black History Month, the Storm is highlighting Black-owned businesses in the Seattle community through our partnership with the Intentionalist. We’re also highlighting members of our organization that work towards equity and the amplification of diverse voices on and off the court.
We sat down with Head Coach Noelle Quinn to discuss her journey in the W, what Black History means to her, and her role as the singular Black female Head Coach in the league.
Tell us a little about Black History Month and the way you integrate it into your daily life.
Black History Month is a time to celebrate, reflect upon, and honor individuals past and present who have paved the way for me to be able to exist.
Black History Month reminds me that I come from a long lineage of people…Kings and Queens, world changers, inventors, survivors, warriors. A lineage of people that despite having every odd stacked against them, remained resilient and found ways to overcome. Black History is not just one month of recognition, it is all year long.
I would not be who I am today without the people who have come before me. I often think about the giants whose shoulders I stand on. I want to honor them because my success is their success, this inspires me in the way that I show up as a head coach. I strive to be the best version of myself and to tap into the mental and physical fortitude it takes to be a leader.
I understand that I am creating Black History every time I represent the Seattle Storm and because of this I want to make sure I have a lasting impact.
For me, black history is being made every day, so I always feel like I’m celebrating. I frequent black owned business in my day-to-day life, and I make a point to frequent them a bit more during February. I’ll also watch documentaries, movies, shows, and listen to music that highlights Black artistry.
What are three big moments that got you here?
Joining the sisterhood of the WNBA was the first big thing that led me here. That was the start of everything.
I would say the second would be the first time someone asked me to coach for Bishop Montgomery High School back in 2016. At the time, I was playing [for the Storm], and I never thought I would fit the profile of a coach. That was the first time I felt like being a coach could be my future.
The last thing would be the “wubble” season. It was 2020, and we were in a period of unknown. The social climate and events that were happening externally made us as a team and a league shift our priorities.
How does being a former player in the WNBA inform how you do your job and the decisions you make?
I think I show up differently because of the commonality between myself and the athletes: being a woman and a former player. I was in their shoes, and I understand the grit and commitment it takes and the discipline. The flip side of that is the level of care I have for the athletes. I know how to best serve them.
It also makes me more aware of how to be a better coach. I’m in their mindset of getting better each day, watching film and asking questions to become a better leader. I ask the same of myself as I ask of the athletes.
You work alongside assistant coaches Ebony Hoffman and Pokey Chatman, you three are the only all-Black female coaching staff in the WNBA. Tell me a little about how you all work together and the importance of that partnership.
Ebony and Pokey are so different from me. We all bring experiences and perspectives that complement each other, and we’re all pushing ourselves to be the best we can be.
I love seeing more and more Black women get into assistant coaching positions. Those opportunities let us hone in on our craft and that’s where we get the reps needed to one day become the head coach.
As a coaching staff, we try not to let the outside noise infiltrate what we’re focusing on. I feel that as Black women and as former players, we have to work twice as hard to get where we want to be.
We always say, ‘Keep the main thing, the main thing’ — the main thing being basketball and taking care of ourselves and the athletes.
What is one memory that filled you with the confidence that you were meant to be a coach?
I would say winning the championship in 2020. I drew up almost all of those offensive plays, but it was a bittersweet moment. What we were all going through at that time with the pandemic and the social justice landscape, it was a lot. But seeing the type of commitment and hard work that winning a championship takes was unforgettable. That was my first big win as a coach.
What has been your biggest takeaway from the last few years as a head coach?
Above all, I have felt so supported and empowered by the Storm organization. Here, I have the space to develop and the resources to grow, and the standard of excellence we have here is because of our incredible athletes, coaching staff, ownership group and leadership team. This organization pushes me to continue looking for ways to be better.
What has it been like these last few months realizing you are the only Black female head coach in the WNBA?
I don’t take it lightly and I don’t take this opportunity for granted, but I also wish, honestly, that this wasn’t a conversation. I understand the pressure for me as a coach and as the sole representative in this league. I wish there were more opportunities for Black women to have head coaching jobs in this league, and I hope that one day we get to the point that Black women are not one of many, but the many.
It’s something that’s always on my mind and pushes me to be great. The goal of an organization is to win championships, but while I’m here I don’t want to just think about the wins and the losses. I think about what representation means and what legacy I want to leave. The fact that young Black girls come up to me and say, ‘Oh, I want to be a coach’ and that they can see themselves as something other than being an athlete, that’s a part of my legacy.
