The Dallas Wings, who have gone 19-65 in the last two seasons and hold the highest odds to receive the first overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, made a splash with their latest head coaching hire on Monday
after Chris Koclanes lasted just one season in the position.
Jose Fernandez, most recently the head coach at South Florida, has been hired as the franchise’s next head coach and the 14th in team history. Fernandez is the sixth different head coach hired by the team in the last eight years, as the Wings wander the WNBA desert searching for a way to win consistently. The team has had one winning season (22-18 in 2023 under Latricia Trammell) in the last 10 years but has the opportunity to turn the corner with young talent led by 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers, a top draft pick in 2026 and a basketfull of young talent dotting the roster.
The team announced the hire on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday. Fernandez will be introduced as head coach on Nov. 6.
“Jose is one of the most respected veteran coaches in women’s basketball,” Dallas Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Curt Miller said in a statement. “He is a proven winner and has built sustained success for over two decades at USF. Jose consistently produces professional players and is regarded as an excellent developer of talent. His colleagues from across the country constantly credit his teams for their preparation and grit, while continuously raising the bar for success on the court. He is known for putting his players in a position to succeed. Lastly, as the game and WNBA continue to become global, no coach in this country has recruited and successfully coached international players better than Jose. I can’t wait to partner with Jose and support his vision for our Dallas Wings.”
South Florida made the NCAA tournament 10 times with Fernandez at the helm, and more than 100 of his players have played professionally worldwide. He led 12 20-win seasons and coached nine players drafted or signed by WNBA teams, including active players Courtney Williams of the Minnesota Lynx and Kitja Laksa of the Phoenix Mercury.
“I want to thank Curt Miller, Greg Bibb, and the entire Dallas Wings organization for this Incredible opportunity,” Fernandez said in the team statement. “We will be relentless in our pursuit of excellence, approaching everything we do with elite standards and a championship mindset. I couldn’t be more excited to serve as your head coach and will work tirelessly to lead this organization to a level of success that both the Wings and the DFW community can be proud of.”
Fernandez was reportedly a finalist for the position a year ago, when Miller opted for Koclanes instead.
Fernandez has a preexisting relationship with longtime UConn head coach Geno Auriemma, so there is likely some degree of familiarity with Bueckers’ game. Fernandez’ long list of contacts in the international women’s game also makes one wonder if the Wings are looking at selecting the 19-year-old Spanish prodigy Awa Fam, should they receive the first pick in the upcoming 2026 Draft. he has been active in international basketball, winning two gold medals with USA Basketball’s U18 and U19 National Teams as an assistant coach. At USF, Fernandez has recruited and coached players from 22 different countries.
The draft lottery will likely take place in late November or early December, depending on the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations between league owners and the WNBA Players Association.
