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Atlanta Dream announces Karl Smesko as new head coach

FILE – Florida Gulf Coast coach Karl Smesko speaks during a news conference after an NCAA college basketball game at the Gulf Coast Showcase, Nov. 25, 2023, in Estero, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius, File)

The Atlanta Dream have hired Karl Smesko as head coach, the team announced Wednesday.

Smesko replaces Tanisha Wright, who was fired earlier this month after three seasons as coach.

“Karl is a proven leader with a history of developing his players and creating a winning culture,” general manager Dan Padover said in a statement. “His fast-paced, innovative style of play will be attractive to our players and fans alike.” We are excited to have Karl bring his incredible basketball IQ to the Dream.”

Smesko, 54, had been at Florida Gulf Coast University since 2002, when he helped develop the program. He compiled a 611-110 record with the Eagles and an overall coaching record of 672-137 – a winning percentage of .843, the third highest among active NCAA Division I women's coaches.

His teams won 14 Atlanta Sun conference regular season titles, 11 conference tournament championships and made ten trips to the NCAA Tournament. 22 of Smesko's players transitioned into coaching after their college careers and three of his former assistants are currently college head coaches.

Florida Gulf Coast also finished the season with 14 consecutive 25-win seasons under Smesko, which was matched only by Geno Auriemma and UConn.

The Dream are coming off their second straight season where they were eliminated in the first round of the WNBA playoffs without winning a game. The franchise hasn't won a playoff series since 2016 and hasn't posted a regular-season winning record since 2018, when it finished first in the Eastern Conference before being eliminated in the conference finals.

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