New Front Office, New Coach and Number One Pick: A fresh start can bring greater success for the Dallas Wings

Significant changes this offseason can lead to bigger rewards for the Dallas Wings.

The Dallas Wings made many changes this offseason to position the team for success as the league transcends forward. President & CEO Greg Bibb wanted a new voice and decision maker in the organization’s front office. Bibb focused on selecting a candidate with experience, eye for talent and winning pedigree. That started with a new Executive Vice President and General Manager.

Curt Miller

Curt Miller was selected as EVP and GM for the Wings front office after a two-year stint as Head Coach of the Sparks. Prior to his time in LA, Miller spent seven seasons with the Connecticut Sun, serving as General Manager and Head Coach. Miller won the 2017 WNBA Executive of the Year and two-time Coach of the Year (2017, 2021) has a 165-141 record over nine seasons (2016-24) as a head coach.

Miller served as GM of the Sun in his final six seasons in Connecticut, with the Sun totaling a 126-66 record during that span – the best mark among all WNBA teams between 2017-22. During Miller’s tenure, the Sun went to the WNBA Playoffs six consecutive times, including two Finals appearances (2019, 2022). His win total ranks 11th in league history while reaching 150 total wins the fifth fastest in the league. Miller looks forward to bringing his leadership to the Wings franchise.

“I am excited to join the Dallas Wings as the new Executive Vice President and General Manager,” said Miller. “I’d like to thank Greg Bibb, Bill Cameron and the rest of the partners for this incredible opportunity. The potential of the Dallas Wings is immeasurable. With a new arena and practice facility on the horizon, a talented roster which is impactful both on the court and in the community, exciting positioning in the upcoming draft, a passionate and loyal fanbase, a fully invested ownership group, and a dedicated front office staff, now is the time for the Wings. As a veteran head coach and GM in the WNBA, I’m looking forward to bringing my experience, passion, and leadership to Texas while we strive to hang a WNBA Championship Banner in Dallas.”

Travis Charles and Jasmine Thomas

In addition to the hiring of Miller this offseason, the Wings promoted Travis Charles and Jasmine Thomas in the front office.

Charles, who previously served as the Vice President of Basketball Operations and Assistant General Manager for the franchise, was promoted to Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations and Assistant General Manager. He recently completed his 11th season with the organization, managing all logistics and strategy for basketball operations, including video analysis, scouting, and travel coordination.

Thomas, who previously served Director of Player Programs and Development Coach for the franchise, was promoted to Vice President of Basketball Operations and Assistant General Manager. She recently completed her first season in the Wings’ front office and sidelines. Thomas had a 13-year WNBA playing career, with her final eight WNBA seasons playing for Curt Miller.

Chris Koclanes

Miller was looking forward a head coach that he could work with in tandem to lead a team. The Wings named Chris Koclanes as the organization’s new Head Coach. Koclanes brings over a decade of experience as an assistant coach in the WNBA and Division I women’s basketball.

Hiring Koclanes signals a commitment to a defense, something the team struggled with, as Koclanes has an extensive experience as a defensive coordinator. It also shows an alignment with Miller, Koclanes has been a staple in Miller’s coaching tree for eight years.

Stability is the centerpiece of the Wings' hiring of Koclanes as the next coach. Having worked closely with Miller, Koclanes brings a proven partnership in shared vision and mutual trust between GM and Head Coach. This alignment offers the Wings a foundation they have lacked in recent years, marked by constant coaching changes and losing seasons. With Koclanes' defensive expertise and Miller's strategy, the duo is poised to bring consistency and a unified decision-making process to the franchise. This aligned leadership could reshape the culture and reputation by building a sustainable path to success.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Dallas Wings,” said Koclanes. “I would like to thank Chairman Bill Cameron, CEO and Managing Partner Greg Bibb and General Manager Curt Miller for entrusting me with this incredible responsibility. I look forward to partnering with our ownership, front office and players to create a sustainable championship culture that is felt on and off the floor, and in the community. I’m excited to support and empower the women of this league as we continue to elevate the WNBA to new heights.”

Koclanes is currently in his second season as an assistant coach at the University of Southern California. Koclanes previously served as video coordinator for USC beginning in 2015. Koclanes spent eight seasons in the WNBA working alongside Miller. Koclanes was the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Sparks in 2023.

Before his role with the Sparks, Koclanes was a key part of the Connecticut Sun staff from 2016-2022. Miller hired Koclanes in 2016 video coordinator in 2016 as a video coordinator, while maintaining the same position with USC as well. That was his first role with the WNBA and Koclanes was promoted three years later to assistant coach in 2019. Koclanes served as defensive coordinator for the Sun and helped the Sun reach the 2019 and 2022 WNBA Finals.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chris Koclanes as the new head coach of the Dallas Wings,” said Executive Vice President and General Manager Curt Miller. “Throughout our extensive search and interview process, Chris continued to rise to the top and check the boxes of our important pillars. He is a servant leader who places a high value on connection, collaboration, and a positive and consistent communication style with all those he coaches. Chris is a fantastic teacher of the game and has an outstanding basketball IQ. He is committed to player development and has a forward thinking and innovative mind for the game. He is a tireless worker with a foundation built through preparation.

“In addition to his proven on-court skill, Chris possesses values that align perfectly with the Dallas Wings, including a shared focus on positively impacting the community and developing our players off the court. There are so many incredible things on the horizon for this franchise, including a new arena, a state-of-the-art practice facility and the opportunity to select No. 1 overall in the upcoming WNBA Draft, and we are confident Chris is the right person to lead this team into a new era of Dallas Wings basketball.”

Number One Pick

The Wings are entering a new era, poised to soar higher than their history suggests after securing the number one pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. With Paige Bueckers widely projected to go first overall, the franchise has a golden opportunity to solidify its future point guard with a generational talent. Known for her elite playmaking, scoring prowess, and leadership, Bueckers has the potential to immediately elevate the Wings back into a playoff contender.

This new chapter in the Wings franchise marks a pivotal turning point, as they prepare for a move to downtown Dallas in 2026 with a practice facility and arena. If selected, Bueckers will be a key part of that transition, in addition to All-WNBA guard Arike Ogunbowale, pending free agent Satou Sabally, for the Wings organization.