The Dallas Wings have officially named longtime University of South Florida head coach Jose Fernandez as the franchise’s next head coach, the team announced Monday.
A veteran with nearly 35 years of coaching experience, Fernandez spent the past 25 seasons leading South Florida, where he turned the Bulls into one of the most respected and consistent programs in college basketball. He compiled nearly 500 career wins and helped launch the professional careers of more than 100 players worldwide, including Courtney Williams of the Minnesota Lynx and Kitija Laksa of the Phoenix Mercury.
The Wings will host an introductory press conference on Nov. 6 in Dallas, with further details to be announced in the coming days.
A Respected Leader Joins the WNBA Ranks
Dallas Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Curt Miller praised Fernandez’s track record of sustained success and his reputation for developing players at all levels.
“Jose is one of the most respected veteran coaches in women’s basketball,” Miller said. “He is a proven winner and has built sustained success for over two decades at USF. Jose consistently produces professional players and is regarded as an excellent developer of talent. His colleagues from across the country constantly credit his teams for their preparation and grit, while continuously raising the bar for success on the court.”
Miller added that Fernandez’s ability to connect with players from diverse backgrounds will be a major asset to a Wings roster built around young talent and international experience.
“As the game and WNBA continue to become global, no coach in this country has recruited and successfully coached international players better than Jose,” Miller said. “I can’t wait to partner with Jose and support his vision for our Dallas Wings.”
Fernandez’s Vision for Dallas
Fernandez expressed gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to lead the Wings as they look to stabilize after multiple coaching changes in recent years.
“I want to thank Curt Miller, Greg Bibb, and the entire Dallas Wings organization for this incredible opportunity,” Fernandez said. “We will be relentless in our pursuit of excellence, approaching everything we do with elite standards and a championship mindset. I couldn’t be more excited to serve as your Head Coach and will work tirelessly to lead this organization to a level of success that both the Wings and the DFW community can be proud of.”
Jose Fernandez is one of the most accomplished coaches in women’s basketball.
— Take Flight (@takeflightwnba) October 25, 2025
USF Career Highlights
– 25 seasons as head coach (2000–2024), longest-tenured in USF athletics
– Over 500 career wins, most in USF history
– 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 7 in 8 years… pic.twitter.com/3RhOw8zMZP
Building a Legacy at South Florida
Hired as USF’s head coach in November 2000, Fernandez became the winningest coach in program history, guiding the Bulls to 19 postseason appearances and 10 NCAA Tournaments. His teams posted at least 19 wins in 14 straight seasons, capturing two AAC regular-season titles and two AAC Tournament Championships in the past four years alone.
Fernandez’s resume includes 58 all-conference players, two AP Honorable Mention All-Americans, three USF Athletics Hall of Fame inductees, and numerous conference award winners — including two Players of the Year, one Defensive Player of the Year, and five Freshmen of the Year.
A Miami native, Fernandez was a finalist for the 2021 WBCA National Coach of the Year, a two-time AAC Coach of the Year, and currently serves as President of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).
A Global Mindset
Fernandez has long been recognized for his international recruiting success. Players from 22 countries have competed under his leadership at South Florida. He has also contributed to USA Basketball’s youth development system, helping guide the 18U and 19U National Teams to two gold medals as an assistant coach.
Before his USF tenure, Fernandez held coaching roles at Miami-Dade College, Barry University, and Lourdes Academy, working across both men’s and women’s basketball programs.
With Fernandez at the helm, the Wings are betting on stability, player development, and international experience to drive the next chapter in Dallas basketball.
