Curt Miller — who was the top coach of the Los Angeles Sparks for the previous two WNBA seasons — has been named basic supervisor of the Dallas Wings.
Miller was fired after two seasons in Los Angeles during which he accrued a 25-55 teaching report. Previous to his time on the Sparks, Miller was the top coach of the Connecticut Solar for 7 seasons, and earlier than that, he was a Sparks assistant. He additionally served as the final supervisor in Connecticut for his ultimate six season.
Miller has the Eleventh-most regular-season wins in WNBA historical past, and holds a profession common season report of 165-141.
“Curt Miller is a confirmed winner with deep expertise constructing and main WNBA rosters and staffs,” Dallas Wings President and CEO Greg Bibb stated in an official assertion. “I imagine Curt’s means to assemble profitable groups in addition to his success in teaching within the WNBA and past will show invaluable for our group as we proceed our pursuit of a WNBA Championship.”
Now, Miller will pivots away from teaching and towards serving to run a franchise from the entrance workplace perspective in Dallas.
The Wings introduced they had been parting methods from head coach Latricia Trammell final month, and in that announcement, additionally they shared they might rent a basic supervisor. Bibb stated in October that the brand new basic supervisor would lead the seek for the following head coach rent, which is now presumed to start.
“As a part of our year-end overview course of, and along with our organizational long-term strategic planning, I’ve determined to broaden and strengthen our basketball operations by way of the hiring of a Normal Supervisor who will oversee the day-to-day operation of our basketball group,” stated Bibb.
Miller is one in every of 7 head coaches who departed from their WNBA crew this previous season, and turns into the second to affix one other group. Stephanie White, who left the Connecticut Solar for the Indiana Fever, is the opposite, although — White has been named the Fever’s head coach whereas Miller is taking the final supervisor pathway.
Who may Curt Miller choose as the brand new head coach of the Dallas Wings?
Different accessible WNBA coaches available on the market embody Christie Sides, who was fired by the Fever, Eric Thibault, who was fired by the Mystics, Teresa Weatherspoon, who was fired by the Chicago Sky, Tanisha Wright, who was fired by the Atlanta Dream, and, in fact, Trammell. Miller is more likely to discover these skilled candidates as he works to pick out a brand new head coach for the Wings. He’ll additionally gear up for the Golden State Valkyries Enlargement Draft, during which the Wings will have the ability to defend six gamers from getting picked.
The Wings are one in every of 5 WNBA groups that also search a head coach, with the Los Angeles Sparks, Atlanta Dream, Connecticut Solar, and Washington Mystics being the opposite. The Mystics and Aces are each additionally on the lookout for new basic managers.
It’s doable that Miller can even look towards the NBA and the G League for candidates, a development that has elevated in recent times. The Las Vegas Aces most not too long ago employed Ty Ellis, who has intensive NBA expertise, as an assistant coach.
Miller sees a ton of alternative for the Dallas Wings group.
“The potential of the Dallas Wings is immeasurable,” he stated in a press release. “With a brand new area and follow facility on the horizon, a gifted roster which is impactful each on the court docket and locally, thrilling positioning within the upcoming draft, a passionate and dependable fanbase, a totally invested possession group, and a devoted entrance workplace employees, now’s the time for the Wings. As a veteran head coach and GM within the WNBA, I’m trying ahead to bringing my expertise, ardour, and management to Texas whereas we attempt to hold a WNBA Championship Banner in Dallas.”
For now, just one factor is definite: Curt Miller, who’s served as head coach for 9 WNBA season, received’t be on the sidelines subsequent yr.
