For a team that finished at the bottom of the WNBA, the Dallas Wings possess a player their new coach believes is unlike any other in the ‘entire world.’ But it’s not just her highlight-reel scoring that sets Paige Bueckers apart.

“Paige is a relentless worker. She wants to be the best,” Fernandez said in an interview with WFAA. “She’s got one of the best mid-range games in the entire world. A three-level scorer—getting to the rim, mid-range game, and also shooting the three.”

Dallas could only muster 10 wins in 44 matches, the worst record in the 2025 WNBA season, alongside the Chicago Sky. Bueckers, meanwhile, had a brilliant rookie season, shattering multiple records. She converted 47.7% of her field goal attempts while also making one of her three shots from behind the arc.

The Dallas Wings guard ended the season averaging 19.2 points per game and was nicknamed ‘Paige Buckets’ because of her shooting ability. The 24-year-old’s hunger to get back on defense and her ability to steal the ball away from opponents make her a dangerous outside defender.

The Dallas Wings made a staffing addition in late 2025, hiring Jose Fernandez as the head coach. The 54-year-old has a lot of work to do to build Dallas into a contender. Dallas has gone through a host of head coaches in recent years, with Fernandez being their sixth hiring in the last 7 and a half years. He comes into the WNBA after spending 25 years with the South Florida Bulls Women’s Basketball team. The 54-year-old replaced Chris Koclanes, who was let go after a disastrous 2025 campaign.

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The head coach will jump headfirst into things as soon as the CBA is finalized. He has to decide who their first pick is going to be in the WNBA Draft while also selecting players to protect from the Expansion Draft.

Jose Fernandez outlines early expectations with the Dallas Wings

Jose Fernandez is aware of the lofty expectations in the WNBA. Despite the Dallas Wings winning only 10 games last season, they have Paige Bueckers and another first pick in the upcoming draft. To add to it, this is going to be the largest free agency pool we have seen.

However, the 54-year-old has already announced his expectations in Dallas. Jose Fernandez hopes to become a playoff contender this season, depending on how free agency goes. But his ultimate goal is to lead the Dallas Wings to the WNBA Championship.

“I wouldn’t have taken this job if I didn’t think I could be a great change to the organization,” Fernandez asserted. “They’re going to play with great passion. There’s not going to be a reason for anyone to think they didn’t play hard. My expectation in taking this job is to win a championship.”

Jose Fernandez comes with a winning pedigree. He turned the USF Women’s College Basketball program into a serious contender, winning 2 conference titles in recent years. He has also been part of the United States FIBA AmeriCup campaigns at the under-18 and under-19 levels, earning 2 gold medals as an assistant coach.

The 54-year-old has an early decision to make. He can either go the Indiana route and pair Paige Bueckers with a big in Awa Fam. Alternatively, he can reunite Bueckers with former UConn teammate Azzi Fudd for instant chemistry on the court. He has recruited heavily from international markets during his time at USF, and it will be interesting to see which way he sways in the WNBA Draft.