The GIST: The Indiana Fever recently hired Stephanie White, former head coach of the Connecticut Sun, and a former player and head coach for the Fever. This hiring fills one of seven recent head coaching vacancies in the WNBA, as the league experiences unprecedented turnover. Nearly 60% of last year’s coaches have moved on to new roles, making this the most dramatic hiring cycle in WNBA history.
While each coaching change has its own reasons, experts in the industry see this turnover as just one of the many changes to come in the evolving billion-dollar W. Switch.
The background: The recent firings of head coaches were not necessarily based on job performance, as three teams let go of their coaches despite making the playoffs. Some departures, like Curt Miller’s and Tanisha Wright’s, were expected, but Chicago’s decision to part ways with Hall of Famer Teresa Weatherspoon caused some controversy before hiring Tyler Marsh from the Las Vegas Aces.
Although some of these moves have been surprising, turnover in leadership is common in both sports and business. In the NBA, half of the coaches have been in their positions for three years or fewer, while CEO turnover reached a five-year high in 2022.
The why: With increased attention on the W, team owners are focused on gaining a competitive edge by hiring top coaches. Some have looked to the NBA and G League, offering record contracts to coaches like Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury and Becky Hammon of the Las Vegas Aces. However, teams like the Fever and Sky have chosen to promote from within the WNBA.
Hiring new head coaches now is a strategic move to establish a strong foundation before player contracts increase in value in 2026, with anticipated changes in the CBA and a windfall from media rights.
Zooming out: Despite the dramatic coaching turnover, WNBA franchises are prioritizing hiring the best coaches, and soon these coaches may receive salaries that match their talents. NCAA programs like South Carolina and LSU are paying their coaches significantly more than professional coaches, but the WNBA is in a position to catch up. This period of transition is a necessary step in the league’s growth.
