Atlanta, GA — In a significant move for the Atlanta Dream, General Manager and Executive Vice President Dan Padover faced the media following the decision to part ways with Head Coach Tanisha Wright. Wright, a 14-year veteran of the WNBA who had taken over the Dream’s coaching responsibilities three seasons ago, brought stability to the franchise but was ultimately unable to advance the team’s playoff success. Her time with the Dream saw the franchise post-season berths in consecutive years, yet they were swept in the first round each time, including this year’s series loss to the New York Liberty.
Padover began by expressing his gratitude to Wright, acknowledging her dedication and efforts in bringing the Dream back to competitiveness. “Tanisha put a lot of hard work and dedication into making this team competitive again, and I know Tanisha’s got a bright future ahead of her in the coaching industry. On behalf of the whole organization, we just really, really want to thank her for everything she did for this team,” Padover stated.
The decision to move on from Wright came after a comprehensive evaluation at the end of the season. “At the end of the season, we really took a comprehensive look at where we were at and where we wanted to get to, and made the difficult decision that now was the time for a new voice and a new leader,” Padover explained. While Wright’s tenure saw incremental improvements, the team’s 15-25 record in 2024 was a setback after reaching a 19-21 mark the previous year. The Dream’s playoff record under Wright was 0-4, showing the challenge of advancing beyond the first round.
When asked whether the increasing visibility and growth of the WNBA have put more pressure on coaches to achieve immediate success, Padover acknowledged that the expectations have evolved. “There’s no doubt this league is heading into a whole new era, which I think is very great, very positive. For us, this was the decision that we made to position us best moving forward and to get us where we wanted to,” he said.
Padover noted that the search for the next head coach would be extensive and thorough, focusing on finding someone who could elevate the team while fostering a positive and creative environment. “First and foremost, we need a leader. We want someone with a lot of creativity, someone who brings joy to the players, the fan base, and someone who can elevate this team to take it to the next level,” Padover emphasized.
Several questions revolved around the involvement of players in the decision-making process and the direction of the team. While Padover and ownership made the final decision, he stressed the importance of maintaining open communication with players, noting, “I spoke with every player, as we should, and we’re really looking forward.” Regarding the next coach’s role in shaping the roster, Padover highlighted that the new head coach would have substantial input in the team’s drafting and future direction, ensuring alignment between coaching philosophy and team composition.
The departure of Tanisha Wright also led to discussions about representation within the WNBA, with only one Black head coach remaining in the league. Padover addressed this by stating, “We’re going to have a very diverse pool of candidates. Let me be clear: race will never play a decision in moving on from a head coach, and there’s no place for it in sports or in our organization.”
Looking ahead, Padover underscored that the Dream is building around a young core, particularly star player Ryan Howard, who has shown remarkable talent since joining the league. “Ryan is our star, and we’ve been clear about that… No one loves this team more than Ryan, and we’re excited about her future,” Padover said, emphasizing that while Howard is central to their plans, they are building a well-rounded team capable of deep postseason runs.
The Atlanta Dream’s search for a new head coach is underway, with no definitive timeline in place. The focus remains on finding the right leader who can help the franchise overcome its postseason hurdles and capitalize on the talent within the roster. For a team that has seen flashes of potential yet struggled to establish itself among the elite, the upcoming coaching hire will be pivotal in determining its trajectory.
