The Dallas Wings fans can’t wait to get the season underway, with Paige Bueckers also ready to prove a ‘future-proof’ investment and another top draft pick on the way ahead of the 2026 season. First-year head coach, Jose Fernandez, is keeping the top pick planning under the wraps as of now, but has complete faith in the available roster and front office to put up a lofty challenge.
The Wings’ coach has been in the coaching field for over 25 years now and understands the fans’ expectations, the team’s ability and the possible outcome of the season through his experience. With that, the coach set a ‘championship’ goal for his new team.
Jose Fernandez Aims For Championship In Very First Season
After a bottom-place finish in the 2025 season, the Wings’ front office appointed an experienced coach in place of Chris Koclanes. In his interviews, the veteran coach gets candid on the change in responsibility from the NCAA To the WNBA, but now with season dates already out, he is back to business and set a goal for his team.
“If we can put a really good roster together around the current players that we have, there should be no reason why we’re not a playoff contender,” Fernandez told the media.
Don't hold your breath waiting for her to slow down.
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) September 16, 2025
Paige Bueckers has officially been named the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year 🏁
𝙬𝙝𝙮 𝙨𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣? pic.twitter.com/WoKpzHPv6x
He continued: “I wouldn’t have taken this job if I didn’t think I could be a great change to the organization. They’re going to play with great passion. There’s not going to ever be a reason for anyone to think they didn’t play hard. My expectation in taking this job is to win a championship.”
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There is no question that the former UConn star holds the key to the Wings’ success, as she showed her capabilities in the 2025 season. But the coach also meant his words and met PB’s former coach to
Jose Fernandez Meets Geno Auriemma
Even though the Minnesota-born star was a top prospect from her high school days, the Huskies’ mastermind, Geno Auriemma, molded her into a professional and effective performer on the floor. to understand how to utilize and maximize PB’s potential, Fernandez didn’t hesitate to meet his old friend and competitor in NCAAW. The Wings’ coach highlighted a positive talk about some tools built from that to help Bueckers move forward.
After meeting the coach, he said, “It was a good understanding of how she responds to coaching, how she wants to be coached, and certain things with her, with the basketball, what she really likes.”
While fans were excited to see another top UConn player, Azzi Fudd, up for the selection in the upcoming WNBA draft, Auriemma might receive some credit in the Wings’ championship run if they fulfil Fernandez’s challenge.