Fred Williams won’t return as coach and general manager of the Dream. The decision was announced Friday.
The Dream were swept in three games by Minnesota in the WNBA Finals last week. The Dream were 24-20 during the regular season, advancing to the championship round for the third time in franchise history. It was the third time the team was swept in the finals. The previous two (2010 and ’11) occurred when Williams was an assistant coach.
In a statement given to the media, owners Mary Brock and Kelly Loeffler said Williams is being moved into a consultant’s role with the franchise until a new coach and/or general manager is hired. They said the decision to go in a different direction was mutual.
A team spokeswoman said the owners are open to having one person in both jobs, or splitting the roles. They hope to have the hire, or hires, made by the end of the year.
“We appreciate Fred’s dedicated service and ensuring that the Dream remained among the top teams in the WNBA,” Brock and Loeffler said in the statement. “He is a great teacher of the game, and is well-respected by his peers.”
Williams, who has been with the Dream since its first season in 2008, was promoted to coach and general manager in August 2012 after Marynell Meadors was fired during the season.
Using a text message because he was on a plane, Williams said he wishes “the Dream continued success and good luck to them in their quest for a new GM/coach. I appreciate the opportunities the Dream has given me.”
Angel McCoughtry, who led the Dream and the WNBA in scoring during the regular season, said in an email that she would respond later.
After the third game in the finals, Williams was asked if he was going to try to keep the nucleus of the team together. He responded as if he expected to continue in his dual roles.
The team fought through injuries this season to several key players, including starting forward Sancho Lyttle, who missed most of the season after suffering a fractured left foot against Minnesota on July 9. The team also sustained injuries to Armintie Herrington (shoulder) and Tiffany Hayes (variety), among others.
About the Author
