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Seattle Storm coach Dan Hughes diagnosed with cancer

By Kim Doss

TENERIFE, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 30: Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd and Dan Hughes of the USA National Team pose for a photo with the championship trophy after winning the Gold Medal Game against Australia during the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup at Pabellon de Deportes de Tenerife Santiago Martin on September 30, 2018 in San Cristobal de La Laguna, Spain. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/NBAE via Getty Images)
TENERIFE, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 30: Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd and Dan Hughes of the USA National Team pose for a photo with the championship trophy after winning the Gold Medal Game against Australia during the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup at Pabellon de Deportes de Tenerife Santiago Martin on September 30, 2018 in San Cristobal de La Laguna, Spain. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Champion coach and his wife release video to Storm fans

The 2018 season couldn’t have gone better for the Seattle Storm. A 26-8 regular season led by league MVP Breanna Stewart was capped off by a 6-2 run through the playoffs to the title.

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Less than a year later, the 2019 season is starting off in the worst possible way. First, Stewart was lost for the season with an Achilles injury. Now, head coach Dan Hughes faces a bigger fight after being diagnosed with cancer.

“A few weeks ago, I underwent emergency appendectomy,” Hughes said in a video posted to the team’s Twitter account. “During the procedure, the doctors found a form of cancer. After consulting with team doctor Adam Pourcho, and the oncology team at Swedish (Medical Center) we formulated a treatment plan that will likely include a surgery in the coming weeks. While there are still some unknowns, I wanted you to be the first to know.”

It is unknown whether Hughes will miss time this season while he deals with his health concerns. Gary Kloppenburg has served as interim head coach in the past, going 8-5 in that capacity in 2017. The team said that the existing coaching staff would step in and fill the void if Hughes is forced to take time off.

His surgery will be performed before the season opener according to a release referenced by the Seattle Times. The team is scheduled to play two preseason games on May 15 and May 17 before opening the season against the Phoenix Mercury on May 25.

Hughes began his WNBA coaching career as the head coach of the Charlotte Sting in 1999. After that, he made stops with the Cleveland Rockers (2000-03) and the San Antonio Stars (2005-09, 2011-16). Despite going 7-27 in his last year with the Stars and sporting an overall WNBA record of 237-287, he was hired to coach the Storm on Oct. 4, 2017.

It turned out well for both parties. Hughes led the Stars to the 2008 WNBA Finals and had 10 previous playoff appearances, but his first year in Seattle brought his first league championship. The Storm played an epic five-game series against the Phoenix Mercury before sweeping the Washington Mystics to take the title.

Hughes also served as an assistant coach for the 2018 USA Basketball Women’s National Team under Dawn Staley. He was on the USA Basketball Women’s National Team Player Selection Committee from 2009-16.

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