Jose Fernandez can’t wait to coach Paige Bookers

Jose Fernandez has been appointed to succeed Chris Cochlanes as boss Dallas Wings. The former South Florida Bulls (NCAA) women’s coach is on a mission to do better than his predecessor, who finished the season with a disappointing 10-34 record, good for last place in the WNBA.

In particular, he will have the opportunity to manage phenom Paige Bookers, the first pick in the 2025 draft and the reigning Rookie of the Year. To prepare this collaboration with the young leader, he sought the advice of his friend Geno Arriema, Bueckers’ former coach in Connecticut.

“Paige is special”underlines Jose Fernandez. “Great players want to be coaches, and she feels responsible. Geno told me: if you want her to hit, she will accept it. If you want her to run the system, she will do it. What we will offer in the half-tester, as well as in transition, should suit him perfectly. I can’t wait to start working with her. It will be important to build a relationship with the whole team so that everyone feels comfortable.

A coach who is not afraid of pressure

In 25 years at the helm of South Florida, Jose Fernandez qualified his team for the NCAA Tournament ten times and won two AAC titles (2021 and 2025) thanks to a determined offensive style. At the age of 53, he can boast that he supported the professionalization of a dozen players, who then went to the WNBA or abroad.

“This position is not for everyone. The expectations in Dallas are extremely high, and that has turned many away”confides Kurt Miller, responsible for finding a new Wings coach. “What I liked about Jose was that he wasn’t scared. On the contrary, our discussions showed me how motivated he is.”

For the 2026 season, Jose Fernandez will inherit a team that is profoundly different from Chris Cochlanes. Only five players are currently under contract with the Wings.

The signings are therefore expected as soon as free agency opens on January 21st, but no signings can be made official until the new collective bargaining agreement is confirmed. Like all WNBA franchises, Dallas will therefore have to wait before being able to reshape its workforce.