The Dallas Wings and Brian Agler have mutually agreed to part ways the franchise announced today following two seasons.
Agler was named the head coach for the Wings prior to the 2019 season. During his two seasons in Dallas he compiled an overall record of 18-38. This past 2020 season, the Wings finished in ninth place in league standings and missed the postseason for the second consecutive year.
“We appreciate Brian’s contributions to the Dallas Wings over the last two years,” said Dallas Wings President and CEO Greg Bibb per release. “As we look to the future, we believe our team is talented and well-positioned for success. After discussions with Brian, we have elected to go in different directions. We are thankful for Brian’s work, dedication to the community and his belief in our dynamic team. We wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to coach the Dallas Wings, I have great respect for the organization” Agler said following the announcement. “I wish everyone within the Wings organization the best of luck in the future.”
Agler has a long track record as a WNBA head coach with stints in Minnesota (1999-20), Seattle (2008-14) and Los Angeles (2015-18). He is a two-time WNBA Champion leading Seattle (2010) and Los Angeles (2016).
Agler took over a Wings organization expecting to coach two of the league’s most prominent players in Liz Cambage and Skylar Diggins-Smith, both of which ended up wanting out of the organization. This left the Wings as a complete rebuild and they competed as the youngest team in the WNBA this season. The Wings are led by Arike Ogunbowale, who was the 2019 runner-up for Rookie of the Year and she led the WNBA in scoring this season at 22.8 PPG.
For those who have followed the Wings for some time now, it’s safe to say Agler and GM Greg Bibb had conflicting philosophies on the direction this team was going and decision making. This leaves the Wings as a major question mark, one they have been for quite some time now.
“We will take a deliberate approach as we seek a new head coach to lead the Wings,” Bibb said per release. “We believe our team’s youth, tenacity and talent provide us with the competitive edge to attract the right fit for our club and someone who will lead our continued growth as we pursue a WNBA Championship.”
