The Atlanta Dream have turned to the faculty ranks for his or her subsequent head coach. hiring longtime Florida Gulf Coast ladies’s coach Karl Smesko.
He’s leaving Florida Gulf Coast instantly, two video games into the brand new season.
“Karl is a confirmed chief with a historical past of growing his gamers and making a profitable tradition,” Dream basic supervisor Dan Padover mentioned. “His fast-paced, revolutionary type of play will probably be enticing to our gamers and followers alike. We’re excited to have Karl convey his unbelievable basketball IQ to the Dream.”
Smesko’s offenses are designed round 3-point capturing, and Florida Gulf Coast set the file for threes on a season with 431 in 2017-18.
Smesko, 54, spent 23 years on the faculty and oversaw its rise from Division II. With the Eagles, his file was 611-110 (.847), and he led the crew to 14 Atlantic Solar Convention regular-season titles and 10 NCAA Tournaments. His program posted 25 wins in 14 consecutive seasons, a feat matched solely by the UConn ladies.
“I’m humbled and honored to be the top coach of the Atlanta Dream,” Smesko mentioned. “I’m grateful for a outstanding 23 years at FGCU and will probably be without end indebted to the wonderful ladies who’ve performed for me, the unbelievable professionals who’ve coached with me, and the passionate fanbase who supported us alongside the way in which. I am grateful to the management of the Atlanta Dream for his or her religion in me to steer this group into the long run and may’t wait to get began.”
In Atlanta, he replaces Tanisha Wright, who was fired final month after three seasons.
The Dream posted a 15-25 file in 2024 and have been swept within the first spherical of the playoffs for the second straight 12 months, this time by eventual WNBA champion New York Liberty. Wright was 48-68 total with the Dream.
Florida Gulf Coast didn’t instantly announcement a substitute for Smesko. The crew is off to an 0-2 begin.
–Area Degree Media
