The Atlanta Dream made a significant coaching hire by bringing in Karl Smesko, the longtime coach of Florida Gulf Coast, to lead the team. Smesko boasts an impressive track record, having transformed Florida Gulf Coast into a perennial NCAA Tournament contender during his 23-year tenure. With a remarkable winning percentage of .829, he ranks third in women's college basketball history.
One of Smesko's notable achievements at Florida Gulf Coast was developing the team into one of the top 3-point shooting squads in the nation. The Eagles consistently excelled in long-range shooting, hitting 300 or more 3-pointers for 15 consecutive seasons. In 2018, they even set an NCAA record by making 431 3-pointers.
The Dream's general manager, Dan Padover, expressed confidence in Smesko's leadership abilities, citing his proven track record of player development and fostering a winning culture. Padover highlighted Smesko's fast-paced and innovative style of play, which is expected to resonate well with both players and fans of the Dream.
At 54 years old, Smesko is set to join the Atlanta Dream later this month, bringing his wealth of experience and basketball acumen to the franchise. The Dream, who finished the recent season with a 15-25 record, are looking to revitalize their performance under Smesko's guidance.
Owner Larry Gottesdiener expressed enthusiasm about the hiring, emphasizing the positive impact he believes Smesko will have on the team and the city of Atlanta. Gottesdiener praised Smesko's passion for women's basketball and his ability to inspire those around him, expressing confidence in his leadership to elevate the Dream to new heights.
The hiring of Smesko comes after the Dream parted ways with former coach Tanisha Wright following a playoff exit. The WNBA saw a record number of coaching vacancies this offseason, with Atlanta being one of seven teams in search of a new head coach. With Smesko's appointment, the Dream have taken a significant step towards reshaping their team and aiming for success in the upcoming seasons.
As the WNBA offseason progresses, other teams such as Washington, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Connecticut continue their search for coaching talent to lead their respective franchises.
