The Atlanta Dream have let go of coach Tanisha Wright after three seasons, the team announced Wednesday.
In a statement, general manager and executive vice president Dan Padover called it a “difficult decision.”
“Tanisha was an important contributor in our efforts to rebuild the Dream, and we want to thank her for her hard work and dedication to the Dream over the last three seasons and wish her the best in the future,” Padover said. “At this time, we believe a change is needed to lead our players and organization to the next chapter in our efforts to be a top team in the WNBA.”
We have made the difficult decision to part ways with head coach Tanisha Wright. pic.twitter.com/BkEkdrvWIR
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) October 2, 2024
Wright had just finished the second season of a five-year extension signed in Dec. 2022, when Padover signed a matching contract through 2027. She earned that extension after winning AP Coach of the Year as a rookie coach when she guided the Dream to a 14-22 record, a six-win improvement from the prior season.
Wright then led Atlanta to a playoff berth in 2023 after a four-year drought, finishing 19-21. The Dream were supposed to take another step forward in 2024 with the additions of Jordin Canada and Tina Charles but instead won fewer games and squeaked into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. The franchise still hasn’t won a playoff series since 2018.
Although Atlanta could have blamed its 2024 failures on injuries, as Rhyne Howard and Canada missed 10 and 20 games, respectively, the front office instead decided that a new coach was necessary to enter the top tier of WNBA teams.
Exremely thankful.
To the staff I’ve had the opportunity to work with, it was a pleasure, my hope is that you’ve learned as much as I’ve learned through our journey together.
Lastly, I want to Thank the Atlanta Dream Organization for giving me an opportunity to lead such
— Coach Tanisha Wright (@coachtwright_) October 2, 2024
The Dream were an average defensive team during Wright’s tenure, finishing fifth, sixth and sixth in defensive rating (out of 12 teams) over the last three seasons. However, they could never figure it out on offense, ranking 11th, ninth and 12th in offensive rating with Wright at the helm. Atlanta had a habit of blowing double-digit leads in 2023 —an issue that continued during the playoffs — and was the worst shooting team in the league this past year.
With Wright’s removal, 25 percent of WNBA coaches have now been let go since the end of the regular season, with Curt Miller and Teresa Weatherspoon also fired. The Golden State opening means that at least four teams will be looking for new coaches for the 2025 season.
(Photo: Dale Zanine / NBAE via Getty Images)
