The Atlanta Dream have made a significant change to their coaching staff, parting ways with head coach Tanisha Wright after three seasons at the helm. This decision comes on the heels of the team’s second consecutive first-round playoff exit, where they were swept by the New York Liberty.
Wright’s Tenure with the Dream
During her three-year stint with the Atlanta Dream, Wright led the team to a 48-68 overall record. Despite the losing record, she managed to guide the Dream to back-to-back playoff appearances in the last two seasons, a notable achievement for a team in rebuilding mode.
The 2024 season saw the Dream finish with a 15-25 record, narrowly securing a playoff spot by winning their final few games. However, the team’s inability to advance past the first round of the playoffs for two consecutive years likely factored into the organization’s decision to seek new leadership.
Front Office Statement
Dream General Manager Dan Padover addressed the coaching change in a statement:
Looking Ahead
The Dream now face the challenge of finding a new head coach who can build upon the foundation laid by Wright and take the team to the next level. With a young core of talented players like Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, complemented by veteran center Tina Charles, the Dream have the potential to become a formidable force in the WNBA.
As the search for a new head coach begins, the Dream will be looking for someone who can develop their young talent and help the team progress further in the playoffs. This coaching change marks another step in the franchise’s ongoing efforts to return to the success they last experienced in 2018, their most recent winning season.
Wright’s departure adds to the recent coaching turnover in the WNBA, following the dismissals of Curt Miller from the Los Angeles Sparks and Teresa Weatherspoon from the Chicago Sky. As the offseason unfolds, it will be interesting to see who emerges as the new leader of the Atlanta Dream and what direction the team will take under fresh guidance.