Wings hire USC assistant Chris Koclanes as head coach - ESPN

Chris Koclanes, a former WNBA and current USC assistant coach, has been hired as the new head coach of the Dallas Wings, the team announced Monday.

With Koclanes at the helm, the Wings — who boast the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft — will look to return to the playoffs after finishing second-to-last in the standings in 2024. They previously fired Latricia Trammell after the team went 9-31 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

Koclanes takes over the role after spending eight seasons in the league working under Wings general manager Curt Miller, who previously coached the Los Angeles Sparks and Connecticut Sun. Known for his defensive focus, Koclanes served as defensive coordinator under Miller in both Connecticut and Los Angeles and is also well-regarded for his work in player development.

Miller has previously called Koclanes «one of the elite assistant coaches» and «best and brightest» in the WNBA.

«We are thrilled to welcome Chris Koclanes as the new head coach of the Dallas Wings,» said Miller in a statement. «Throughout our extensive search and interview process, Chris continued to rise to the top and check the boxes of our important pillars. He is a servant leader who places a high value on connection, collaboration, and a positive and consistent communication style with all those he coaches.»

During Koclanes' time in Connecticut (2016-22), which included a pair of WNBA Finals appearances and four straight semifinal berths, the Sun emerged as a perennial defensive power in the WNBA. The Sparks also ranked top-four in defensive rating in Koclanes' sole year there, 2023. The Wings haven't finished higher than eighth (out of 12) in defensive rating since the franchise moved to Dallas in 2016 and