Image Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Dallas Wings Fire Head Coach Chris Koclanes After Just One Year Following 10–34 WNBA Season

Dallas makes coaching change

Image Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Dallas Wings announced Tuesday they have fired head coach Chris Koclanes after just one season in charge.

Koclanes, hired by Wings executive vice president and general manager Curt Miller after serving as his assistant with the Los Angeles Sparks, guided Dallas to a 10-34 record in 2025. It matched the league’s worst mark and was nearly identical to the 9-31 finish under Latricia Trammell a year earlier.

“On behalf of the Dallas Wings, I want to thank Chris for his many and immediate contributions to the organization this past season,” Miller said in a statement. “With new team facilities being built, a youthful roster under contract, and the rights to three first round draft selections over the next two seasons, including a lottery pick in 2026, the Wings are well-positioned for future success.

“As we enter a pivotal point in our team’s future, we felt a change in leadership at this time was best for our organization.”

Chris Koclanes will not return as head coach of the Dallas Wings. pic.twitter.com/bk1ewqqc3M
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) September 30, 2025

The 2025 campaign was the Wings’ 10th in Dallas and 28th as a franchise. Despite drafting Paige Bueckers with the No. 1 pick and acquiring DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith in a four-team trade, the team’s season unraveled due to injuries and absences.

Tyasha Harris underwent knee surgery, Maddy Siegrist missed time with a tibial plateau fracture, while Teaira McCowan and Luisa Geiselsöder departed midseason for FIBA EuroBasket. Veteran Arike Ogunbowale was also sidelined with a season-ending injury late in the year.

By the end of the season, the Dallas Wings were without Geiselsöder, Li Yueru, JJ Quinerly, Harris, and Ogunbowale. The toll was significant: 136 total games lost to injuries and international duties, five season-ending injuries, and 34 of 44 games played with 10 or fewer players available. Nine players missed at least eight games, and no one appeared in all 44 contests.

Few Positives for Dallas Wings Despite Difficult Year

Rookie Paige Bueckers became the face of the franchise, averaging 19.2 points and 5.4 assists per game. She won Rookie of the Year honors, earned an All-Star starting spot, and climbed to fifth all-time in rookie scoring.

Dallas Wings closed its season on Sept. 11 with a 97-76 victory over the Phoenix Mercury, highlighted by Bueckers, Aziaha James, and Amy Okonkwo each scoring 20-plus points, the first rookie trio in WNBA history to achieve the feat.

The Wings said a national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.