The Dallas Wings are looking to bounce back from their league-worst finish last season and have tasked Jose Fernandez with steering the ship.
For the second season in a row, the Dallas Wings finished with the worst record in the WNBA. Also, for the second year in a row, the Wings got a new head coach and picked first overall in the Draft.
With a new-look core of Paige Buckers, Azzi Fudd, Arike Ogunbowale, and Luisa Geiselsoder, the Wings are hoping to make the postseason for the first time since 2023. Tasked with leading them is Jose Fernandez, who was hired after Chris Koclanes was let go after just one season.
Diehard college basketball fans might recognize Ferdandez, but for most Dallasites, he is unfamiliar.
Who Is Wings' Head Coach Jose Fernandez?
Fernandez has been coaching since 1991, starting his career in junior college, high school, and Division II. Since 2000, he has been the head coach of South Florida University's women's team, leading them for 25 seasons before finally taking his first pro job.
While leading the Bulls, Fernandez went an excellent 485-317, leading the team to ten March Madness appearances, making it to the second round five times. Of course, the Bulls played in the mid-major AAC for the majority of his tenure, so going on a deep run was always unlikely. In 2009, his team won the Women's NIT championship, beating Boston College and Kansas in the semifinals and finals.
"Best traits, I think, have incredible love and respect for one another," he listed. "And they want to be coached, and they hold each other accountable."
While at South Florida, Fernandez built a long-lasting, winning culture. As the Wings lean into their youth, having a steady hand to guide them should be key to their future success.
Koclanes sharpened his teeth in the WNBA as an assistant coach and expected more professionalism from his young Dallas roster, instead of serving as a mentor. Fernandez will hopefully understand the shift needed to build a winning pro franchise.
Of course, even with Bueckers and Fudd (who won a national title together at UConn) leading the way, the Wings are still a long way away from being title contenders. However, last season they won only ten games and have long been bottom-feeders, so simply playing meaningful basketball well into the season will be a step forward.
The Wings will kick off the regular season on May 19 in Indiana against Caitlin Clark and the Fever.