Physicality in the WNBA is at an all-time high as the seasons starts, or at least that’s what the popular opinion is. After last season drew in more eyes to the league, fans witnessed the defense that Caitlin Clark was subjected to. While rough plays are part and parcel of the league, Chris Koclanes is putting his foot down. As his challenge against the refs shows he will not have his players subjected to risky play.

When Wings Forward Maddy Siegrest got called for a loose-ball foul, coach Chris Koclanes decided to review the play. Diamond Miller was playing intense defense on Siegrest, denying her the ball, but the play got a bit too physical when Miller pushed her across her back, surprising even Siegrest. While the review from the referees did cause a delay, the broadcasters defended their decision-making because it was no easy call. “There are definitely a couple of fouls… That’s difficult… takes forever to figure out.” 

The refs in the W have faced difficulties of their own, inviting criticism from many including the NBA star LeBron James. While physicality definitely has been a concern, the more troubling one for most happened to be the inconsistency in calls. Last year, Clark received a lot of no fouls on clear contact and was subjected to physical play off the ball as well in an incident with Chennedy Carter. Koclanes would like to ensure that his own star Paige Bueckers is not subjected to the same treatment and is hence doing the needful. And while the spotlight has been over the refs for all the wrong reasons, for Koclanes it was anything but.

Upon Chris’ decision of reviewing the play, the broadcasters appreciated Koclanes’ ability even as a “rookie” head coach. “Chris called it [review] anyway. And again, this is the first time he’s been a head coach, but he has been. Outstanding dealing with everything.” Koclanes has worked as Wings GM Curt Miller’s assistant in the past and it does not look like he’s facing difficulties taking over the reins. Coming into this team that is going through a rebuild, Koclanes has been mindful of the expectations that come with the first pick but has done well to keep that pressure off his players.

Chris has admitted he believes he’ll benefit from presence of Curt Miller and referred to him as his “thought partner” While Miller has been somewhat of a guru to Koclanes, with the two having worked together for seven years. Koclanes’ resume has seen teams from both the W and college basketball. And as the spotlight on him gets brighter, let’s take a look at what makes Koclanes the right man for the job.

Koclanes’ wealth of experience

Chris Koclanes brings over a decade of coaching experience, including several seasons as an assistant coach in the WNBA, to his first head coaching role with the Dallas Wings. His most notable WNBA tenure was with the Connecticut Sun from 2016 to 2022. Starting as a video coordinator, he was promoted to assistant coach in 2019 and served as the team’s defensive coordinator. Under his guidance, the Sun consistently ranked among the league’s top defenses in key metrics like opponent scoring average, opponent turnovers, and opponent field goal/three-point percentages. He was part of the staff that helped the Sun reach the WNBA Finals in 2019 and 2022, as well as the semifinals in 2020 and 2021.

Following his time in Connecticut, Koclanes served as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Sparks in 2023, where the team finished third in defensive scoring average and led the league in steals and opponent turnovers. His resume also includes developing players, with seven players he coached between 2019-2023 earning a combined 12 WNBA All-Defensive Team selections.

This background makes him a strong fit for the Dallas Wings, particularly given their struggles with defense in the recent past. His proven ability to build and implement effective defensive schemes directly addresses a key area of need for the franchise. Furthermore, his experience in player development aligns with the Wings’ current roster, which includes a mix of established players and promising young talent, including the No. 1 overall pick. His history of working successfully with General Manager Curt Miller in Connecticut also suggests a cohesive leadership structure, which is vital for a team undergoing a significant transformation.