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PODCAST: Nicki Collen talks Atlanta Dream and her pathway to coaching

By Howard Megdal

UNCASVILLE, CT - AUGUST 25: Connecticut Sun assistant coach Steve Smith (left), head coach Curt Miller and assistant coach Nicki Collen look on during the first half of an WNBA game between Chicago Sky and Connecticut Sun on August 25, 2017, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Chicago defeated Connecticut 96-83. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
UNCASVILLE, CT - AUGUST 25: Connecticut Sun assistant coach Steve Smith (left), head coach Curt Miller and assistant coach Nicki Collen look on during the first half of an WNBA game between Chicago Sky and Connecticut Sun on August 25, 2017, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Chicago defeated Connecticut 96-83. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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For new Atlanta Dream head coach Nicki Collen, the decision to leave the Connecticut Sun was far from an easy one.

Collen, working with Curt Miller, helped shape the Sun into the next elite WNBA team in the eyes of many. But the challenge, and the opportunity to finally take ownership of a coaching job after decades in the trenches as an assistant both at the collegiate and professional level was too enticing to pass up.

The long and winding road for Collen has included stints assisting her husband, Tom, all while raising three children. But when Tom exited coaching, it led to Nicki finally getting her chance to prove herself, and she spoke about what that means to her personally and professionally.

Hear Collen discuss her early pro tennis dreams, life as a young basketball player with professional dreams, along with in-depth dissection of just how the Sun got so good so fast, and the many puzzle pieces she gets to arrange in Atlanta to bring that same success, and perhaps even more, to the Dream.

Collen on what it will mean to mentor Layshia Clarendon, build around Angel McCoughtry, even how she plans to allow Elizabeth Williams to roam free out to the three-point line and much more can all be found here.

Listen to the show:

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