​Believe it or not, we’re already past the halfway point of the WNBA season. That makes this an ideal moment to evaluate the major league awards and gauge where the race stands. Today, we kick off with the Coach of the Year (COTY) discussion. Here are the three coaches who stand out as the top contenders. In the comments, share whether you agree and also call out the cases for any other candidates.
Typically, the WNBA Coach of the Year award goes to the head coach who has overachieved by leaps and bounds, guiding a team to heights that seemed unlikely given their talent level. Reeve belongs in the COTY conversation despite leading a No. 1 Minnesota Lynx squad, a nod to her exceptional work. Once again, she has made Minnesota the best team in the league, doing so without Napheesa Collier, who is still sidelined, and with rookie guard Olivia Miles, who is making a significant impact with her standout play. This season was expected to be a step back for the Lynx, yet Reeve has prevented that outcome. Instead, Minnesota has become the team to beat, and she now holds the record for the most wins in WNBA history as a head coach.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Valkyries, under Natalie Nakase, are contending at the top end of the standings. Last year, Nakase took over an expansion squad and guided them to their first playoff appearance. This season, she has them positioned to be considered the best team in the league. The Valkyries sit just a half-game behind the Lynx for the top seed, a remarkable feat given that several of their players aren’t leading the league in major statistical categories. Gabby Williams leads Golden State in scoring but sits 27th in the league in points per game. Veronica Burton paces the Valkyries in assists but is 12th overall in the NBA. Kayla Thornton tops their rebound chart but is 30th in the league in rebounds. The fact that the Valkyries aren’t reliant on a handful of statistical leaders, yet still function as a cohesive unit, underscores Nakase’s skill in uniting the team. If Golden State maintains this pace, Nakase could become a back-to-back COTY winner.
Alex Sarama has also done an impressive job coaching the expansion Portland Fire. The team remains competitive and sits just two games out of a playoff spot. He has kept Portland in the mix by leveraging players whom other teams viewed as expendable or not protected from the expansion draft. This adaptability and resourcefulness are hallmarks of strong coaching and contribute to the COTY conversation.
Carla Leite has doubled her point production with the Fire compared with her rookie season with the Valkyries, signaling a clear personal development arc. Sarah Ashlee Barker is averaging 10.7 points per game while shooting 48.9% from the field, a notable improvement from her time with the Los Angeles Sparks. After seven seasons with the Lynx, Bridget Carleton is enjoying a breakout year, averaging 13.5 points per game and delivering some of her best basketball to date. All of these success stories contribute to the broader narrative of teams performing beyond expectations, a key element in evaluating potential COTY candidates.
As the season unfolds, these stories of overachievement, resilience, and strategic coaching will continue to shape the discussion around the Coach of the Year. Share your thoughts in the comments about who you believe deserves the award and why, and feel free to point to any other coaches who you think have compelling cases.