Dallas Wings Name Jose Fernandez as New Head Coach

The Dallas Wings have officially appointed Jose Fernandez, the former head coach at the University of South Florida, as their new head coach. After leading USF for 25 seasons, Fernandez takes over from Chris Cocranes, who held the position for just one year.

Wings general manager Curt Miller praised Fernandez, referring to him as one of the most respected coaches in women’s basketball. He highlighted Fernandez’s impressive track record: “He is a proven winner and has consistently achieved success at USF for over 20 years,” Miller stated. “Jose has been instrumental in developing professional players and is recognized as an exceptional talent developer. His teams are known for their preparation and dedication, often surpassing expectations. Plus, in a time when the WNBA is becoming increasingly global, no one has recruited and coached international players as effectively as Jose. I’m looking forward to collaborating with him and backing his vision for our Dallas Wings.”

Fernandez stands out as USF’s all-time winningest coach, steering the Bulls to 14 consecutive seasons with 19 or more wins and a commendable ten NCAA Tournament appearances. During his tenure, over 100 of his players transitioned into professional basketball, including notable names like Courtney Williams from the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury’s Kicha Laksa. Interestingly, about 30 of Fernandez’s former players are still active in professional leagues for the 2025-2026 season.

Third Coach in Three Seasons for the Wings

As for the Wings’ roster, things are a bit unclear. While current Rookie of the Year Paige Backers and other rookies, Asiaha James and JJ Kunary, are signed through 2028, several key players, including Arike Ogunbowale and Tyasha Harris, will be free agents this summer, alongside many of the league’s star players.

Last season was challenging for the Wings; they finished with a league-low record of 10 wins and 34 losses. Current estimates suggest they have a 40% likelihood of securing the No. 1 draft pick, with a guarantee of a top-three pick. Potential lottery picks include Lauren Betts from UCLA, Olivia Miles from TCU, and Azi Fad from UW.

This offseason, four WNBA teams have made changes at head coach, including the Wings. The Portland Fire have hired Alex Salama, while the Toronto Tempo has reportedly brought on Sandy Brondello. The Seattle Storm have selected Sonia Raman, a former assistant coach for the New York Liberty, while Liberty’s head coaching position is still vacant.

Fernandez marks the third head coach for the Dallas Wings in three seasons, following Latricia Trammell and Chris Cocranes.

In his statement, Fernandez expressed gratitude: “I want to thank Curt Miller, Greg Bibb, and the entire Dallas Wings organization for this incredible opportunity. We will pursue excellence with relentless effort and maintain elite standards. I am thrilled to take on the role of head coach and will strive tirelessly to elevate this organization to a level that both the Wings and the DFW community can take pride in.”