Kicking off his first head coach stint with the Dallas Wings, Chris Koclanes surely has many glorious years ahead of him. His debut season may not have ended like a fairytale, yet he already commands respect across professional basketball. “Most importantly, Chris is an incredible human… Chris is able to both teach and empower players,” WNBA All-Star Jasmine Thomas said about Koclanes, who now also serves as the Wings’ vice president and assistant general manager. Her dual role working alongside him underlines the holistic, family-like culture they aim to build. His resume, built since 2013, speaks volumes in favor of it. Starting as a video coordinator, he’s climbed step by step into bigger roles.

That steady rise shows his patience and persistence in this sport. From shaping elite defenses in the WNBA to guiding collegiate powerhouses, Koclanes has tested himself in every arena. Tough moments have come this year, but his deep understanding of the sport keeps him steady. And this hunger for growth runs in his blood. He brings over a decade of WNBA experience—having shaped top-three defenses with the Connecticut Sun and Los Angeles Sparks before bringing that defensive DNA to USC and now the Wings. His family has a long involvement in the sporting world, and it has shaped his work ethic. Let’s take a closer look at the sporting family of the Dallas Wings head coach, whose influence set the foundation for his relentless pursuit of excellence.

Who are Chris Koclanes’ parents?

Chris Koclanes was born on November 1, 1989, in Pelham, New York, to his mother, Olympia Koclanes. Olympia was the longtime head coach of both the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams at Pelham Memorial High School before retiring—her dedication to coaching left an indelible mark on the school’s athletic community. There is no public record of his father or his role in Chris’ life. Growing up, Chris attended Pelham Memorial High School, graduating with the Class of 2007. A natural athlete, he played soccer, tennis, and basketball, and helped lead the Pelicans to consecutive appearances at the Westchester County Center for the Section 1 boys basketball Final Four.

Sports and coaching have long been part of the Koclanes family fabric. Olympia spent years coaching both the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams at Pelham Memorial High School, leaving a lasting mark on the school’s athletic community. When Chris stepped into his first head coaching role with the Dallas Wings, he credited the influence of coaches who shaped his journey. That acknowledgement not only reflected his time working alongside Curt Miller but also hinted at the lessons he absorbed from watching his mother lead teams.

What is the ethnicity of Koclanes’ parents?

There is no verified public record of Chris Koclanes’ ethnicity or that of his parents. What is certain is that Koclanes is American by birth. His sister, Belle Koclanes, was inducted into the Hellenic Hall of Fame, an honor usually linked to Greek heritage. Still, this does not confirm the family’s background.

Belle’s induction may have been connected to her stint with Panserraikos during the 2002–03 season in the Greek Premier Women’s Basketball League. Like Chris, she later moved into coaching, carrying her playing experience into a leadership role. In fact, coaching and teaching seem to run throughout the Koclanes family, with each sibling finding a career path rooted in guiding and educating others.

Does Chris Koclanes have any siblings?

Alongside Belle, Chris Koclanes has three other sisters: Nicky Starvatow, Ali Soberon, and Kristen Sessano. Remarkably, all five siblings have built careers around teaching and coaching. Nicky works as both a teacher and coach at Pelham Memorial High School, Ali teaches in Rye, and Kristen teaches in New Rochelle. Their shared path reflects a family deeply rooted in education and mentorship.

“All of our siblings have really good and really unique relationships with each other… All of my sisters have achieved so much in so many different ways,” Chris once said about his family. Though he shares a close bond with each of his sisters, his strongest connection is with Belle, the second oldest of the five. That closeness has only deepened now that they share the sidelines with the Dallas Wings.

Belle brings a wealth of experience to the staff. She has spent more than two decades coaching at the Division I level, including eight years as head coach of women’s basketball at Dartmouth. Her career has also taken her to programs at American, Old Dominion, Penn, and Columbia, along with professional playing stints in Greece and Bulgaria. Chris openly credits her as the driving force behind his career path.

“She was the best athlete in our family, winning everything, every championship in every sport, not just basketball. So I grew up wanting to be like her and watching her go on and be a head coach. She paved the way for me,” he said. With his family’s support and Belle at his side, Chris Koclanes looks poised to keep growing as head coach of the Dallas Wings.