Coach of the Year is, in many ways, one of the more unusual honors in sports. It’s meant for a coach who surpasses outside expectations, but limited media access to teams can make it tricky to truly understand who should be credited for a team’s success or failure.
Nonetheless, it’s our responsibility to make a call.
Last year, Natalie Nakase, the head coach for the Golden State Valkyries, was widely recognized as the WNBA’s Coach of the Year. Usually, when someone wins such an accolade, they’re not likely to snag it again for a while.
However, after some thought, I’ve decided to cast my vote for Nakase once more. She has transformed the Valkyries from a borderline playoff squad in their inaugural season to one of the most formidable teams in the WNBA.
The Valkyries have truly optimized their roster, boasting the second-best record in the league at 31-12. Additionally, they lead in point differential, outpacing opponents by an average of 7.2 points per game, even exceeding the Minnesota Lynx’s +6.9 net rating.
A significant part of their success stems from their defense. The Valkyries have an outstanding defensive rating of 99.4, far superior to the Mystics’ 103.8, which is the second-best in the league. They restrict opponents to just 75.1 points per game—quite a feat compared to the Mystics, who give up an average of 82.5 points.
Even though Nakase won Coach of the Year last season, it’s rare for coaches to receive this honor in consecutive years. That said, I’ve really considered this. If A’ja Wilson can maintain her MVP status year after year, it seems fair to acknowledge Nakase for building on her impressive inaugural performance.
The Valkyries had a fantastic debut season after the expansion, and early on, it seemed teams like the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo might do the same. Yet, both ended up with some of the league’s worst records, whereas the Valkyries finished their rookie year securing the 8th seed with a 23-21 record.
Instead of plateauing or regressing, Nakase and her team ensured a remarkable leap forward in Year 2, enhancing their solid defensive approach and becoming a true force on that front. Now, the Valkyries are not merely playoff contenders; they’re genuine championship hopefuls—even without a player averaging 15 points a game.
Nakase has skillfully managed the time and responsibilities of a deep roster. She’s instilled confidence in backup point guard Kaitlyn Chen, who is enjoying a standout season. Nakase has also trusted Veronica Burton as her franchise player, and Burton has proven to be one of the most effective players according to various advanced metrics. Moreover, Nakase has maximized the contributions of veterans like Tiffany Hayes and Kayla Thornton, who may play more reduced roles this season but remain crucial to the team’s achievements. And there’s Kiah Stokes, who’s emerged as a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year contender under her guidance.
Will the Valkyries be successful in the playoffs, or are they only a force during the regular season? Honestly, it’s too early to make that judgment, but the upcoming weeks should clarify things. Regardless, this award pertains to regular-season performance, and no one has done a better job of making the most of their roster than Nakase in her second year.
Other candidates I considered for WNBA Coach of the Year
While I ultimately favored Nakase, there were other strong contenders for this title.
Cheryl Reeve, head coach of the Minnesota Lynx, deserves much credit for her ability to bring out the best in rookie point guard Olivia Miles, manage Napheesa Collier’s long absence, and support Natasha Howard in having a career-best season. The Lynx have dominated the league for most of the season, but had they finished significantly ahead of the Valkyries, Reeve’s case would have been compelling. However, it’s worth noting that she had a more talented roster than Nakase’s, featuring All-Stars like Napheesa Collier, Olivia Miles, Natasha Howard, Kayla McBride, and Courtney Williams, while the Lynx are just slightly ahead of the Valkyries in the standings.
Then there’s Sydney Johnson, head coach of the Washington Mystics, who is also in the running for consideration. Few could foresee the Mystics performing as they have, and it’s evident that Johnson fits well with a young team led by Shakira Austin, Sonia Citron, and Kiki Iriafen. The Mystics boast the second-best defense in the WNBA and have maximized production from role players like Michaela Onyenwere and Cotie McMahon.
Finally, Becky Hammon, head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, is always in the conversation for this award. The Aces remain one of the top teams in the WNBA with a 30-13 record, despite losing Chennedy Carter during the season and NaLyssa Smith to an ACL injury. However, Las Vegas is likely to get recognition in other areas on the ballot. Given that much of the Coach of the Year award focuses on exceeding expectations, Hammon faces challenges considering her team features two Olympic-level guards in Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray, along with the league’s leading player, A’ja Wilson.
