The Atlanta Dream hired longtime Florida Gulf Coast’s Karl Smesko as the team’s new Head Coach, the organization announced on Wednesday.
With the third highest winning percentage (.843) among active coaches in NCAA Division I (DI) women’s basketball history, behind only two of the game’s greats, Hall of Famer Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies and the LSU Tigers Kim Mulkey, Smesko brings more than 20 years of head coaching experience to the Atlanta Dream. His 672 total wins ranks eighth overall among active head coaches.
“Karl is a proven leader with a history of developing his players and creating a winning culture,” said General Manager Dan Padover. “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.”
Embed from Getty ImagesSmesko, 54 years old, will join the franchise later this month.
Off the court, Smesko’s influence ripples like a tidal wave throughout the basketball community as a whole, especially as it comes to mentoring and developing younger coaches. Currently, 22 of his former players have entered the coaching ranks, including three on the current Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) staff – and three of his former assistant coaches are now head coaches at the collegiate level. What a legacy!
Atlanta went 15-25 this season and had to win its last few games to make the playoffs. There is a talented, young core with Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray leading the way along with veteran center Tina Charles. The Dream have not had a winning record since 2018.
The Dream gave former coach Tanisha Wright her walking papers in October last after Atlanta fell in the opening round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
“This is an exciting moment for our fans, the city of Atlanta, and the entire Dream organization,” said Atlanta Dream Majority Owner, Larry Gottesdiener. “A great basketball mind is coming to our city. Karl’s passion for and commitment to women’s basketball bring out the best in everyone around him. I am confident we have found the right leader to take our organization to the next level.”
A native of smalltown Bath, Ohio, Smesko was the founder and built the FGCU women’s basketball program from the ground up. During his 23 years at the helm,
Smesko’s teams have posted an outstanding and remarkable record of 611-110 (.8.47). His teams have dominated, winning 14 Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) regular season titles, 11 ASUN tournament championships, and has made it to the NCAA tournament 10 times. Smesko has led FGCU to 25-wins in 14 straight seasons, a feat only matched by UConn.
The owners were not playing around this offseason. Atlanta was one of a record seven WNBA coaching vacancies. Three now have been filled with Stephanie White going back home to the Indiana Fever and Ty Marsh taking over in Chicago with the Sky. Washington, Dallas, Los Angeles and Connecticut still have vacancies.
