The Portland Fire hired a first-time head coach seemingly well-suited for an expansion franchise looking to build an innovative culture. Alex Sarama has made a name for himself as a player development coach and with his constraints-led approach that focuses on decision-making and adaptability rather than repetitive movements. Sparks star Kelsey Plum implemented CLA in her training program, saying that it changed her career. An expansion team is the perfect place to implement a CLA-focused approach as part of the team’s culture and identity.
At the same time, however, Sarama will undoubtedly face some challenges in his new role. First of all, he has never been a head coach at this level, working as Director of Player Development and an assistant coach in the G League and the NBA before joining the Fire. Adjusting to his new role will take some time. Secondly, Sarama has no WNBA experience.
Few coaches will ever check every box and have every qualification necessary to succeed as a head coach. The key is knowing your shortcomings and assembling a staff that can specialize in those areas. For Sarama, it would be wise to have a former WNBA player and someone with coaching experience in the league on his coaching staff.
WNBA experience can make all the difference
Many of the most successful head coaches in the 2025 WNBA season have NBA experience. Becky Hammon spent years as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, Natalie Nakase spent time with the Clippers, and Nate Tibbetts worked for several NBA teams before landing the Mercury job.
However, many of the best coaches in the league also have WNBA playing experience or rely on assistant coaches who played in the league. Becky Hammon, Sandy Brondello, and Stephanie White—three of the top coaches in the game—are all former players. Cheryl Reeve has coached in the WNBA since 2001, and her coaching staff includes former players Rebbekkah Brunson and Lindsay Whalen. Natalie Nakase and Sydney Johnson were assistants in the W before taking over as head coaches. Nakase’s coaching staff also features former WNBA All-Star Ta’Shauna Rodgers, and Johnson’s staff includes Barbara Turner, who played in the WNBA and overseas between 2006 and 2021.
The Sparks also experienced some notable improvements after adding Latricia Trammell to a new coaching staff that featured no WNBA coaching experience.
Being a former player is one of the easiest ways for a head coach to connect with their players because it makes it easier for players to trust that their coach truly understands what they are going through. If a head coach cannot bring that to the table, hiring someone who can is the next best thing. Playing experience isn’t everything, though. Knowledge of how the league works is also invaluable on any WNBA caching staff.