News of the Phoenix Mercury hiring a new head coach has left WNBA fans stunned and with many burning questions.
Mat Ishbia, owner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, has been making some strategic moves. Per Kevin Reagan of 12 News, the Mercury announced plans earlier this month to build a $100M campus with a new practice facility to be jointly shared with the Suns.
Now, Ishbia’s latest decision has sent shockwaves through WNBA circles. Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Orlando Magic assistant Nate Tibbetts is finalizing a deal to become the Mercury’s new head coach.
Tibbets, who has spent the last 13 seasons in the NBA, is in line to become the highest-paid coach in WNBA history.
ESPN Sources: Orlando Magic assistant Nate Tibbetts is finalizing a deal to become the new head coach of the Phoenix Mercury. Tibbetts — who’s also been an assistant with Portland and Cleveland — will become the highest paid coach in WNBA history. pic.twitter.com/4GTw8zsTvW
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 16, 2023
However, without experience coaching women’s basketball at collegiate or professional levels, Tibbetts’ new job puzzled WNBA fans.