WNBA Black head coaches drop from six to three

The 2024 WNBA season, now in its 28th year, begins this week. The 40-game regular season began on Tuesday, May 14.

An underreported story should be spotlighted—a majority-Black women’s league has only three Black head coaches, 25 percent of the 12 total coaches. 

Two seasons ago, one-half of the W coaches were Black, an all-time high according to The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) annual racial and gender report card.

“The WNBA had a decline in their racial scores for players, coaches, assistant coaches, and general managers, “said the recent report. “Black or African American head coaches decreased from six in 2022 to only three in 2023…25.0 percent of WNBA head coaches.” 

Only New York has not hired a Black HC in its history. Chicago (6), Phoenix (6), Los Angeles (6), and Washington (6) all have hired the most, followed by Dallas (4) and Atlanta (3).  The Minnesota Lynx have hired two.  

This season, Noelle Quinn (Seattle), Tanisha Wright (Atlanta), and Teresa Weatherspoon (Chicago) are the league’s only three Black head coaches. Weatherspoon is the Sky’s sixth consecutive Black HC hired.  

“It’s not many of us,” admitted Quinn.  

“Noelle’s done an amazing job there in Seattle,” said Wright of Quinn. “I’m excited to have ‘Spoon’ on the sidelines as well.”

Said Weatherspoon, “Of course, we’re qualified, and we’re capable. [There are] plenty [Black] ladies…who can coach this game.”

Weatherspoon is one of the WNBA original players (1997-2004) who also coached in college (Louisiana Tech associate HC, 2008-09; head coach, 2009-14) and pro (NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach, 2020-23).

Wright played 14 WNBA seasons before becoming an assistant coach (Charlotte 2017-20; Las Vegas, 2020-21) and Atlanta HC since 2021.

Quinn has been Seattle’s coach since 2021 after being promoted from associate HC (2020-21) and Storm assistant coach (2019). She also played 11 W seasons. 

“To be able to live in my purpose, to be a light to encourage these guys to be at their best and to continue to be the best version of myself,” noted Quinn. “I stand on the shoulders of giants.” 

Wright stressed the importance of former players being hired as coaches: “It’s really important that we continue to create these opportunities.”

“Everything is about timing,” said Weatherspoon. “Then, when you get here and you have the opportunity to utilize your platform,” you must take full advantage.

The time spent in the NBA proved invaluable, said Weatherspoon, especially working with former longtime veteran coaches Alvin Gentry and Stan Van Gundy.

“They wanted me to have the best coaching career possible. I learned so much,” said T-Spoon, who intends to share her experiences as a first-year WNBA head coach.

Said Wright, “I understand that the more success that I have, the more opportunities that will create for people who look like me. Every time that I step out there…that this is a great opportunity to have that great privilege to be out there.

“So I never take that lightly.”