Seattle Storm hires Dan Hughes as head coach

Dan Hughes. Photo: D. Clarke Evans/NBAE.

Nearly two months after firing Jenny Boucek, the Seattle Storm hired Dan Hughes as the franchise’s head coach, bypassing Gary Kloppenburg who served as the team’s interim coach for eight regular season games. The Storm went 15-19 this season and qualified for postseason play but fell in the first round to Phoenix.

Hughes retired from coaching after the 2016 season and 11 years as the head coach and general manager for San Antonio Stars. In his last season in San Antonio the team went 7-27.  He briefly stepped aside from coaching San Antonio during the 2010 season when Sandy Brondello took over the position while he remained general manager. He returned to the sidelines the following year.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dan to the Seattle Storm organization,” said president and general manager Alisha Valavanis in a release. “Dan is one of the most well-respected coaches in our league.  His experience in the WNBA and as a leader in USA Basketball is a wonderful match for our developing team.”

Hughes spent 2017 as an analyst with ESPN, Fox Sports and the University of Oklahoma. His career record 237-287 (.452). He won the league’s Coach of the Year Award in 2001 and 2007. He will be the sixth head coach in franchise history, following Lin Dunn (2000-02), Anne Donovan (2003-07), Brian Agler (2008-14), Boucek (2015-17), and interim head coach Kloppenburg.

“In conversations with Alisha and the Storm ownership group, it quickly became evident that this was a good fit,” said Hughes. “Beyond the incredible talent Seattle has on its roster, I am very excited to have the loyal fan base supporting us. In watching the team over the years, coaching against Storm teams, it’s been clear that the fans in Seattle create an advantageous home court at KeyArena and have been a huge part of the evolution of their storied success.”

Dan Hughes’ overall record with San Antonio

Season Regular Season W L % Playoff results
2005 7th 7 27 .206 Did not qualify
2006 6th 13 21 .382 Did not qualify
2007 2nd 20 14 .588 Won Conference Semifinals (Sacramento, 2–1)
Lost Conference Finals (Phoenix, 0–2)
2008 1st 24 10 .706 Won Conference Semifinals (Sacramento, 2–1)
Won Conference Finals (Los Angeles, 2–1)
Lost WNBA Finals (Detroit, 0–3)
2009 4th 15 19 .441 Lost Conference Semifinals (Phoenix, 1–2)
2011 4th 18 16 .529 Lost Conference Semifinals (Minnesota, 1–2)
2012 3rd 21 13 .618 Lost Conference Semifinals (Los Angeles, 0–2)
2013 5th 12 22 .353 Did not qualify
2014 3rd 16 18 .471 Lost Conference Semifinals (Minnesota, 0–2)
2015 6th 8 26 .235 Did not qualify
2016 6th 7 27 .206 Did not qualify

 

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