In this WNBA offseason, five teams were in search of a new head coach and four of the teams have done so.
On Oct. 17, the expansion Portland Fire hired Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Alex Sarama as their first head coach. His coaching resume includes Paris Basketball (EuroLeague), London Lions (Super League Basketball) and the RipCity Remix (NBA G-League). Additionally, Sarama is the author of the 2024 book Transforming Basketball, which focuses on a Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) to the sport.
CLA is a training system of methods that zeroes in on adaptability, improvisation and decision-making as opposed to already known movement patterns and drills. The Portland Fire will have its inaugural season in 2026.
Today we welcome Portland Fire Head Coach, Alex Sarama.
— Portland Fire (@theportlandfire) October 17, 2025
A globally-respected innovator in basketball who joins from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sarama’s approach blends creativity, performance science, and a deep understanding of how athletes learn and adapt.
His approach has… pic.twitter.com/KHl4f98SnI
Another WNBA expansion team hired their first-ever head coach on Oct. 22 . The Toronto Tempo hired Sandy Brondello, whose contract was not renewed by the New York Liberty last month. Brondello is the Liberty’s all-time leader in wins (107) and led the team to the playoffs in all four seasons with the franchise.
This includes guiding the franchise to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2023 and to their first WNBA Championship in 2024. She is in the top ten in WNBA history with 271 career wins.
Seattle and Dallas Hire New Head Coaches
Following the firing of Chris Koclanes on Sept. 30, the Dallas Wings hired University of South Florida head coach Jose Fernandez. Fernandez led the Bulls to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances and a 485-317 record in 25 seasons.
Finally, Liberty assistant coach Sonia Roman was hired as the new head coach of the Seattle Storm on Friday. Roman served as an assistant with NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies (2020 – 2024).
From 2008 to 2020, she was the head coach of the women’s MIT basketball team. She led the team to two conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances during her tenure. What’s more, her hire makes history she is first WBNA head coach of Indian lineage.
Now, the Liberty are the lone WNBA team yet to hire a head coach as of this article.
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