The Dallas Wings have named Chris Koclanes as their new head coach, giving the franchise a fresh start. Koclanes has coached effectively with the defensive side of the game for over a decade and will now bring his expertise to the WNBA team. According to an official press release, a formal introduction will take place on January 9 at Reunion Tower in Dallas.

Koclanes previously served as an assistant coach at the University of Southern California (USC) team before joining the Dallas Wings. He led the Trojans to impressive accomplishments in his two seasons at USC. Including 29-6 records in the 2023-24 season and an Elite Eight appearance — their first in 30 years. As USC rose as high as No. 3 in national polls his efforts earned him national recognition. Koclanes also served as a video coordinator for USC beginning in 2015, balancing that role with his WNBA duties until he was promoted to assistant coach in 2019.

Chris Koclanes’s track record in the WNBA

Koclanes spent eight WNBA seasons in which he was a defensive specialist and player developer. Previously the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Sparks in 2023, he steered the Sparks to a top-three defensive scoring average and the best performance in steals and opponent turnovers in the league.

During his time with the Connecticut Sun (2016-2022), the team made it to two WNBA Finals and four straight semifinals. During those seasons under his guidance, he had the Sun ranked among the top defenses in scoring average and shooting percentages.

Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Curt Miller praised Koclanes as a “servant leader” with a “forward thinking, innovative mind for the game.” Koclanes’ values align perfectly with the Wings’ mission to develop players both on and off the court. Miller said, and it was clear to him that the club needed to own its own talent pipeline.

Building a bright future for the Dallas Wings

The arrival of Koclanes is timely for the Wings who finished 9-31 this past 2024. Despite that, there is optimism for the team’s future with a new arena, a state-of-the-art practice facility, and the No.1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Koclanes said he was excited about the opportunity stating, “I look forward to partnering with our ownership, front office, and players to create a sustainable championship culture that is felt on and off the floor, and in the community.”

Koclanes’ track record speaks volumes about him bringing up teams. He was a major part of the development of JuJu Watkins, who ran up as the nation’s No. 2 scorer and was named National Freshman of the Year at USC. Perhaps equally important was USC finishing with top rankings nationally based on his defensive strategies.

It’s something that has earned him praise in the WNBA; teams under his watch typically dominate defensive metrics. Koclanes coached seven players, who were honored on the All-WNBA Defensive Team 12 times. The Wings expect Koclanes’ expertise to turn the team into a playoff contender as it prepares for the coming season. A foundation to build a championship squad exists with the potential to draft a generational talent like UConn’s Paige Bueckers.

It’s a major moment in the Dallas Wings’ effort to re-imagine its identity and culture. And they’ve managed to secure Chris Koclanes to do it. Koclanes has the tools to lead the Wings into a new era of competitive basketball and has proven success in player development, defensive strategies, and a forward-thinking mindset. Dallas fans will have a lot to be excited about when it comes to the upcoming season and the 2025 WNBA Draft.