The Connecticut Sun has a new addition to the coaching roster. Announced today, the Sun acquired assistant coach Brandi Poole from Texas Tech.
Poole will reunite with Connecticut Sun’s head coach and general manager Curt Miller, after spending four years apart.
Poole’s WNBA tenure dates back to 2000; she served as the Director of Operations for the former Portland Fire team. She then assisted at West Virginia (2000-01) before her 13-year run with Miller at Bowling Green (2001-12) and Indiana (2012-14).
The pair reached much success in their collegiate joint-coaching careers. On a conference call with reporters on Feb. 20, Miller claimed “ helped build not only one of the best mid-major programs at Bowling Green…but two years , we arguably had the best recruiting class at the school.” He also mentioned their success in game-play. Indiana accumulated a record-breaking three wins in the 2014 WNIT tournament to add to their school record of 21 wins during the 2013-14 season.
☀️☀️The Sun always Rises!☀️☀️. So grateful to be back on the bench with Curt and help lead this incredible team. https://t.co/38SPfUQsUV
— Brandi Poole (@CoachBrandi33) February 20, 2018
When asked about the qualities Miller saw in Poole to make her the perfect fit for the new coaching position, he said “Brandi has tremendous work ethic” and multitasking abilities. “In our level, you have to multitask and she’s the best multitasker I’ve ever been around.”
An overall excitement and comfortability between the two former colleagues and friends will make for a seemingly seamless transition between former assistant coach Nicki Collen-who is now the new head coach for the Atlanta Dream-and the newest Sun assistant.
Poole will join Steve Smith in working with the post players, while Miller and Chris Koclanes focus on the guards. Miller said he’s looking forward to “putting two talented post coaches with one of the best post groups…I’m turning Brandi and Steve loose on the post players really looking forward to it.”
Poole told Connecticut she is “so grateful to Curt and to Amber Cox for this opportunity to help lead the Connecticut Sun.” Miller added heavy admiration for his friend and assistant saying “Simply stated, I have my Chris Dailey back.”
The Sun had a successful season last year. Connecticut’s 21-13 was good for second in the Eastern Conference, just behind the New York Liberty upon the conclusion of the 2017 season.
Miller told reporters in today’s press conference that Chiney Ogumike is medically cleared with full activity and Alex Bentley is healthy and playing again in Russia, currently. Many other 2017 roster players are overseas and Miller reassured his excitement for the upcoming season.
The Connecticut Sun will begin their season May 20 at the Mohegan Sun Arena. They will host the Las Vegas Aces at 1 pm ET.