Your Day in Women’s Basketball, October 15: Brian Agler out the door in Dallas
Dallas Wings and head coach Brian Agler mutually agree to split after two seasons
The Dallas Wings and head coach Brian Agler mutually agreed to part ways on Wednesday afternoon in a move that certainly surprised Wings fans and WNBA fanatics. Dallas was on the playoff bubble throughout the bubble and missed the playoffs by just one game despite an all-WNBA season from Arike Ogunbowale.
“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.”
Many on Twitter are clamoring for the Wings to hire a Black woman as their next head coach, and there’s an endless list of potential candidates who would make a great fit in Dallas. If you want to read more about the need for diversity on WNBA coaching staffs look no further than this piece by Power Plays’ phenomenal Lindsay Gibbs.
More from Big Ten Conference
- Your Day in Women’s Basketball, July 29: WNBA Ratings Spike 20%
- Your Day in Women’s Basketball, July 20: Mystics’ Tina Charles to miss season
- Your Day in Women’s Basketball, July 15: It’s Breanna Stewart time
- Your Day in Women’s Basketball, July 2: Maya Moore helps overturn wrongful conviction
- Taylor Mikesell to appeal for immediate eligibilty at Oregon
Dallas’ next coach will have a talented young core to meld together, which will include three top-7 picks in the upcoming draft. Next year, the Wings could make the leap.
Down in the NCAA, Indiana is bringing back their veteran backcourt to their perennially successful program, which will bring a rare beacon of stability in a season that is likely be anything but. Ali Patberg and Grace Burger, the team’s two leading scorers, combined for 28.7/9.8/8.7 splits last season.
“They’re awfully good,” said head coach Teri Moren. “We know we have work to do, and the thing about all those guys is that they’re super humble but they’re super confident also. Ali Patberg is due to have a tremendous senior season… but Grace Berger is not too far behind. Those two young ladies have been fabulous.”
The Hoosiers are also bringing in Notre Dame transfer forward Dannielle Patterson. While Patterson is a relative unknown to the greater basketball audience, she could turn heads in Indiana with her size and scoring versatility.
Finally, props to Los Angeles Lakers guard Avery Bradley who donated over $30k in supplies to the Wubble, which included games and books for the kids, and health and beauty supplies for the players.
As always, I’m torn between my deep respect for NBA and WNBA players, and my even deeper distrust of the billionaire owners who could probably spare 30k! But this was the right thing for Bradley to do, and he rightfully deserves praise for his thoughtful donation and support.