The Atlanta Dream announced on Wednesday that Head Coach Tanisha Wright has been relieved of her duties, after three years with the organization. In a press release they mentioned how Wright “was an important contributor in efforts to rebuild the Dream.”
Atlanta Dream Executive Vice President, General Manager Dan Padover says the organization came to an agreement this week. Padover says players were made aware of the decision to let Wright go. When asked if there is a deadline in place for hiring a new head coach, Padover says they’ll take the time they need to be sure that it’s a good fit.
Wright took to social media to express her gratitude to both former players she’s coached as well as the organization.
Wright played in the WNBA from 2005-2019. After her playing career she stepped into coaching in 2017 as an assistant coach for UNC-Charlotte. She then became an assistant with the Las Vegas Aces in 2020 and was hired as the Dream’s coach in 2021. She finished with a 46-68 record as Head Coach. The team made it to the playoffs twice, but was bumped out of the first round both times.
The Atlanta Dream organization signed Wright to a 5-year extension back in Dec. 2022, earning that extension after receiving AP coach of the year in her first season as head coach. Wright is now the third WNBA coach to be fired in the last 10 days. The Los Angeles Sparks announced they parted ways with Curt Miller on Sept. 24, and the Chicago Sky announced Teresa Weatherspoon had been let go after one season.
Wright and Weatherspoon are not only former players, turned head coaches, but also 2 of 3 African American coaches in the league. We asked Padover, if the Dream organization plans to take into consideration that there are less minorities in head coaching when looking to hire, he said “Our search for a new coach will be very diverse. Diverse pool of candidates “Race will never play a decision in the hiring process.”
Padover also mentioned that the plan is to have someone hired in time to give input on the draft and other decisions. Women’s Hoops Network will continue to follow this story.
Brandolyn Hellams is a journalist and producer in Atlanta, who covers sports and entertainment.
