The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dallas-wings">Dallas Wings</a> have announced the hiring of Chris Koclanes as their new head coach, the team revealed on Monday. Koclanes, a former WNBA assistant coach and current USC assistant, will take over a team that is aiming for a playoff return after a difficult 2024 season.



The Wings, who hold the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, finished second-to-last in the standings last year and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020, leading to the firing of Latricia Trammell following a 9-31 record.



Koclanes brings eight seasons of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/wnba">WNBA</a> coaching experience, having worked under general manager Curt Miller, a veteran coach who previously led the Los Angeles Sparks and Connecticut Sun. Known for his defensive expertise, Koclanes has established a reputation as a top defensive coordinator, serving in that role for both Connecticut and Los Angeles. 



The Wings hired Trammell ahead of the 2023 season to address their defensive struggles, and she delivered immediate results. The team recorded its best campaign in over a decade, reaching the 20-win mark for the first time since 2008 and winning a playoff series for the first time since 2009.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241223_BUS_299231_Chris-Koclanes-1024x576_b6e2fec9.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="chris koclanes" class="wp-image-299305" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/23180820/Chris-Koclanes-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/23180820/Chris-Koclanes-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/23180820/Chris-Koclanes-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/23180820/Chris-Koclanes-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/23180820/Chris-Koclanes-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/23180820/Chris-Koclanes-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/23180820/Chris-Koclanes-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/23180820/Chris-Koclanes.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Chris Koclanes will be Dallas Wings head coach (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



However, injuries derailed that progress in 2024. A 5-19 start to the season proved insurmountable, leaving the Wings out of the playoffs and back in the lottery for the first time since 2021.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/wnba/indiana-fever-gm-discusses-decision-to-let-go-of-caitlin-clarks-key-teammate"></div>


<h2>Koclanes is an expert in defense</h2>



Koclanes’ tenure with the Connecticut Sun (2016-2022) was marked by two WNBA Finals appearances and four consecutive semifinal berths, helping establish Connecticut as one of the league’s premier defensive teams. In his single season with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2023, the team ranked in the top-four in defensive rating. 



This will be key for the Wings, who have struggled defensively, ranking no higher than eighth in defensive rating since relocating to Dallas in 2016, and finishing last in that category in 2024.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/wnba/nba-hall-of-famer-responds-to-criticism-after-bold-take-on-juju-watkins-and-caitlin-clark"></div>


Over the past two seasons, Koclanes has also contributed to the revitalization of USC’s women’s basketball program under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb, helping the Trojans reach new heights with the addition of star JuJu Watkins.



<h2>The Wings are in the middle of a reorganization</h2>



The Wings are entering a critical phase of organizational change, with Koclanes’ hiring and Curt Miller’s move from team president to general manager signaling a new direction. The team also strengthened its front office by promoting Travis Charles to senior vice president of basketball operations and assistant GM, and Jasmine Thomas to vice president of basketball operations and assistant GM.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/wnba/magic-johnson-compares-clark-and-reeses-rivalry-to-his-iconic-battle-with-larry-bird"></div>


Looking ahead, the team is preparing for a move to Dallas in 2026, where they will play in a newly renovated arena within the redeveloped Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. The Wings are also building a standalone practice facility in the city.

WNBA News: USC assistant coach becomes Dallas Wings’ new head coach

WNBA News: USC assistant coach becomes Dallas Wings’ new head coach - Bolavip US

miniaturas

The Dallas Wings won the 2025 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/wnba">WNBA</a> Draft Lottery, positioning them to select Paige Bueckers with the No. 1 overall pick. When asked about the lottery, Bueckers admitted to feeling anxious and opted not to watch.



“People think I’m lying. I actually didn’t watch it, it was giving me too much anxiety,” Bueckers told ESPN of Sunday’s lottery. “So I just decided to… whatever was going to happen, regardless of whether I was watching or not, so I just kind of let things happen and figure it out after,” she explained.



When asked about Dallas winning the lottery and likely using that pick to select her, she said, “I honestly don’t want to get complacent. I want to stay humble, stay grounded, stay in the moment. Nothing in the future is guaranteed, so just taking every moment as it is. I’m a firm believer in God having a plan for me, so whatever that is, I’m ready to do it,” she concluded.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">HELLO NO. 1 <a href="https://t.co/Hh36jsyy9e">pic.twitter.com/Hh36jsyy9e</a>— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) <a href="https://twitter.com/DallasWings/status/1858279448686064109?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2024</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



However, it has been reported that Bueckers was hoping to land in Los Angeles Sparks, as they were the predicted winner of the draft, due to their record in the past WNBA seasons. However, they will pick second, while the Chicago Sky will pick third.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="BUS#/wnba/wnba-news-angel-reese-to-play-with-caitlin-clarks-indiana-fever-teammate-on-unrivaled"></div>


<h2>Dallas Wings in search of a new head coach&nbsp;</h2>



The No. 1 picks can transform a franchise, as Indiana Fever have evidenced after landing the No. 1 picks of Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark in consecutive years. Both players won Rookie of the Year awards, and the team landed their first playoff berth since 2016.&nbsp;



However, the Wings have a more pressing matter to attend first: hiring a new coach. General manager Curt Miller told The Press Democrat that searching has generated buzz. “The coaching search has already generated tremendous amounts of interest,” he said. “Can’t begin to tell you the interest coming from not only the WNBA but also outside the WNBA. This is only going to increase it.”



Meanwhile, Wings forward Maddy Siegrist, who was representing the franchise in the draft, said that they were “super excited” as “we’ve seen how impactful lottery picks have been, especially the past few seasons.”



<h2>Paige Bueckers’ talent</h2>



Minnesota native Paige Bueckers has been a revelation at UConn. As a freshman, she made history by claiming every major national player of the year award. However, knee injuries sidelined her during her sophomore and junior years.



Despite these challenges, Bueckers has led the Huskies to multiple Final Four appearances, including a championship game in 2022. With a remarkable scoring average of 19.9 points per game, she’s poised to break Maya Moore’s all-time program scoring record.

dallas wings

WNBA News: USC assistant coach becomes Dallas Wings’ new head coach

WNBA news: Paige Bueckers breaks her silence on Dallas Wings getting the No. 1 pick