Seattle Storm parts ways with head coach Jenny Boucek, Gary Kloppenburg named interim coach

The Seattle Storm has parted ways with head coach Jenny Boucek the team announced today. Gary Kloppenburg, a 14-year WNBA coaching veteran and current Storm assistant coach has been named interim head coach. The Storm is tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the league with a 10-16 record and a four-game losing streak.

During her tenure as head coach, Boucek led Seattle to a 36-58 record. She was named head coach on Jan. 20, 2015 after serving as an associate head coach under Brian Agler in 2014, and was an assistant with the franchise from 2010-13 and 2003-05. Boucek was the head coach with the Sacramento Monarchs from 2007-09.

“I believe new leadership is needed at this time to give our team the best chance at short and long term success,” said Storm president and general Alisha Valavanis in a release. “I am grateful for the passion and commitment Jenny has demonstrated throughout her time with the Seattle Storm. She has been an important part of our organization and we wish her well in the next steps of her career.”

Kloppenburg previously served with the Storm in 2000-02 under former head coach Lin Dunn. He spent 2003 with Phoenix, worked with Dunn in Indiana (2008-11) before becoming the head coach of the Tulsa Shock in 2012 and 2013. He was an assistant with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2014 and he joined Stephanie White’s staff with the Indiana Fever in 2015-16.

Seattle plays at Phoenix on Aug. 12 before returning home for a two-game homestand, Aug. 16 vs. Minnesota and Aug. 18 vs. San Antonio.