The Dallas Wings are ushering in a new era with the hiring of Chris Koclanes as their head coach for the 2025 WNBA season. Koclanes, a respected defensive specialist, brings eight years of WNBA experience and a player development pedigree that the Wings hope will elevate the franchise to new heights.
From USC to the WNBA: Koclanes’ Coaching Journey
Chris Koclanes has spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach for the USC Trojans women’s basketball team under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. During his tenure, the Trojans have seen a resurgence, largely credited to the arrival of star recruit JuJu Watkins.
But it’s Koclanes’ WNBA experience that truly sets him apart. He spent eight seasons in the league working under current Wings GM Curt Miller with the Connecticut Sun (2016-2022) and Los Angeles Sparks (2023). Koclanes served as the defensive coordinator for both teams and played a key role in player development.
Chris is one of the elite assistant coaches and brightest minds in the WNBA. His defensive expertise and knack for developing players is exactly what we need in Dallas.
– Curt Miller, Dallas Wings GM
A Defensive Mastermind
Under Koclanes’ guidance as defensive coordinator, the Connecticut Sun emerged as a perennial defensive powerhouse in the WNBA. The Sun made four straight semifinals appearances and two WNBA Finals during his time there. The Sparks also finished top-four in defensive rating in Koclanes’ one season in LA.
Contrast that with the Wings, who haven’t cracked the top eight in defensive rating since moving to Dallas in 2016. They bottomed out in 2024, finishing dead last in the WNBA. Koclanes’ arrival signals a commitment to turning around the team’s defensive woes.
Developing Young Talent
Just as important as his defensive acumen is Koclanes’ ability to develop young players. The Wings roster is brimming with potential, headlined by four-time All-Star Arike Ogunbowale and 2022 #1 overall pick Charli Collier. Maximizing their talent will be crucial.
And then there’s the 2025 WNBA Draft. The Wings won the Draft Lottery and hold the #1 pick, widely assumed to be UConn phenom Paige Bueckers. Koclanes’ player development chops will be put to the test immediately in getting the most out of the star rookie.
Ushering In a New Era
The Chris Koclanes hire is just one part of a larger transformation for the Wings organization:
- 🏀 Moving into a newly renovated arena in Dallas in 2026
- 🏗️ Building a state-of-the-art practice facility in the city
- 🎖️ Curt Miller taking over as GM this offseason
- 💼 Travis Charles and Jasmine Thomas promoted to senior VP and VP roles
It’s a franchise-altering makeover for the Wings, a team looking to win its first playoff series since 2023 and first title since the Detroit Shock days in the 2000s. Koclanes’ hiring could be the spark that ignites a sleeping giant in the WNBA.
The Chris Koclanes era begins now in Dallas. With a defensive mastermind at the helm, the #1 pick in hand, and a franchise reset in motion, the Wings are poised to take flight in 2025 and beyond. The WNBA has been put on notice – a new contender is rising in Big D.
