Despite Paige Bueckers’ historic 2025 season, the Dallas Wings finished at the bottom of the 2025 WNBA standings. While the team took the first step by firing HC Chris Koclanes, they are now searching for the perfect coach and roster to surround their star rookie and challenge for the title.
Reports suggest that Sandy Brondello emerges as the top candidate for the HC role at the Wings. But on the media day for the Big East conference, Coach Geno Auriemma had another suggestion.
Geno Auriemma Talks About Giving Paige Bueckers Authority
PB has been a generational talent in the league, playing under UConn’s championship mentality and Auriemma’s strong guidance. So when she failed to deliver in her first season, it was more of a shock. However, HC Auriemma suggested the way forward, confirming that everyone should be on the same page to compete for the title.
“I told Paige this the other day: A great player can play for any coach—if they want to. Now, if they get a coach that doesn’t believe and doesn’t have a collaboration with Paige, then that would be a difficult journey,” Auriemma said.
“And it’s like recruiting. Recruit the person you want who has the qualities. But at the end of the day, whoever the coach is, you can make it work for them, or you can make it not work for them, provided there’s a good roster around you. So I think the roster is gonna be more important than the coach, even though the coach is crucial, obviously,” Auriemma added.
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Even before the CBA negotiation conclusions, there are many high-profile names connected with the Wings, trying to build a dynasty with the UConn guard. Additionally, the franchise is reportedly seeking a championship-caliber coach who can deliver results with the team at hand.
Paige Bueckers’ Dallas Wings Slid To 12th Place In ESPN’s 2026 Power Rankings
As soon as the 2025 season ends, ESPN analyst released an ‘early power ranking’ highlighting the team’s future depending on the roster at hand at the end of the 2025 season. Sadly, the Dallas Wings take 12th position, just above the Chicago Sky, despite the presence of the dynamic duo of Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale.
BREAKING: ESPN has released its way-too-early WNBA power rankings for the 2026 season:
— I talk hoops 🏀 (@trendyhoopstars) October 11, 2025
1. Las Vegas
2. Phoenix
3. Atlanta
4. Minnesota
5. Indiana
6. New York
7. Golden State
8. Los Angeles
9. Seattle
10. Connecticut
11. Washington
12. Dallas
13. Chicago
*Toronto and Portland… pic.twitter.com/lqePh48alM
While the franchise will look to add impactful pieces to the roster to improve its position in the upcoming season, the rookie is enjoying her first WNBA offseason in style. Bueckers stole the show during the Dallas Cowboys’ blowout win over the Washington Commanders, and helped the Longhorns win the ‘Red River Rivalry Game too.