Seattle Storm hires Dan Hughes as head coach
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 |
