Dallas Wings and Brian Agler part ways

After two seasons, Brian Agler is no longer the head coach of the Dallas Wings. The franchise fired the head coach Tuesday morning, just a week after the season ended with the Seattle Storm winning the 2020 WNBA championship. Agler guided the Storm to the title in 2010.

“We appreciate Brian’s contributions to the Dallas Wings over the last two years,” said Dallas Wings President and CEO Greg Bibb. “As we look to the future, we believe our team is talented and well-positioned for success. After discussions with Brian, we have elected to go in different directions. We are thankful for Brian’s work, dedication to the community and his belief in our dynamic team. We wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”

“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to coach the Dallas Wings, I have great respect for the organization” Agler said. “I wish everyone within the Wings organization the best of luck in the future.”

“We will take a deliberate approach as we seek a new head coach to lead the Wings,” Bibb said. “We believe our team’s youth, tenacity and talent provide us with the competitive edge to attract the right fit for our club and someone who will lead our continued growth as we pursue a WNBA Championship.”

The team ended the season 8-14 and in ninth place overall during the WNBA’s bubble season, narrowly missing the playoffs. In Agler’s first season, Dallas finished 10-24 and did not make the playoffs cut.

Wings rookie and No. 2 overall draft pick Satou Sabally made the2020 All-Rookie Team. Second-year guard Arike Ogunbowale led the WNBA in points per game (22.8) and earned a spot on the All-WNBA First Team.

With over 30 years of coaching experience, Agler spent 14 years as a WNBA head coach, first with the Minnesota Lynx followed by the Storm and the Los Angeles Sparks, a team he helped guide to a championship in 2016. He was the first WNBA coach to win a title with two teams. He also won titles in the now-defunct ABL as the head coach of the Columbus Quest.

Agler resigned from the Sparks in November 2018. The Wings named him head coach the following month. His son Bryce is an assistant with the Wings along with former WNBA player Crystal Robinson. There is word from the team yet if the two will be retained.