Atlanta Dream hires Nicki Collen as head coach
Dreams do come true!! Let’s go @AtlantaDream ??? pic.twitter.com/8NDVym8wd8
— Nicki Collen (@NickiCollen) October 30, 2017
Tha Atlanta Dream named Nicki Collen as the team’s new head coach. The Dream fired former head coach Michael Cooper in early September.
“I am humbled at the opportunity to become the next head coach of the Atlanta Dream and incredibly proud to be associated with a league that empowers women in such a positive way,” Collen said in a release. “I want to thank owners Mary Brock and Kelly Loeffler, as well as team president Theresa Wenzel for believing in me and what we can accomplish together. I was blown away by their passion and commitment to the Dream and to the city of Atlanta.”
Previously, Collen served as an assistant coach with the Connecticut Sun. Under head coach Curt Miller, the Sun finished with a 21-13 record in 2017 and earned the franchise’s first postseason appearance since 2012.
“It is important to specifically thank Curt Miller and the Connecticut Sun organization for giving me my start in this league as well as helping prepare me for this opportunity” Collen added. “I am so proud of what we accomplished together and will no doubt miss my Sun family.”
Before her time with the Sun, Collen worked under head coach Karl Smesko at Florida Gulf Coast. Before moving to FGCU, Collen was as an assistant coach at Arkansas, Louisville, Ball State and Colorado State. As a player at Purdue, Collen was a member of Big Ten championship teams that advanced to the Final Four in 1994 and the Elite Eight in 1995. Collen transferred to Marquette as a junior. After transferring, she competed in two more NCAA tournaments and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering.
“Nicki brings impressive basketball and coaching credentials along with great leadership qualities and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Atlanta Dream,” team owners Loeffler and Brock said. “We believe her strong emphasis on player development alongside a disciplined offensive and defensive system will position our talented team to be a playoff contender.”
