There are changes on the horizon in the Emerald City.
On Sunday, the Seattle Storm announced they have parted ways with head coach Noelle Quinn. In a press release, the team revealed that Quinn’s contract will not be renewed for the 2026 season. The news comes after the Storm were bounced out of the first round by the Las Vegas Aces for the second consecutive year.
Quinn, 40, played for the Seattle Storm for five seasons in the mid-2010s. Across two stints with the team, she was part of the 2018 championship squad alongside Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd, Sue Bird, and Natasha Howard, among others.
Following her retirement from the WNBA in 2019, Quinn was hired as an assistant coach of the Storm. She was later promoted to associate head coach when the team won its fourth WNBA Championship in 2020. In May 2021, Quinn was named head coach in the wake of Dan Hughes’ retirement. Over five seasons, Quinn experienced the post-championship era, Sue Bird’s retirement, and guided the Storm through a rebuild.
“On behalf of our organization, I would like to thank Noelle for her time with the Storm. Her commitment to the ongoing success of our organization and to furthering the development of our players was second to none,” said Storm General Manager Talisa Rhea. “She put us in a position to win at the highest levels of the game and for that, we are grateful.”
Quinn Remained Steady, Failed To Reach Finals with the Storm
From 2021 to 2025, Quinn compiled a 97-86 (.522) record as head coach. And led Seattle to the inaugural Commission’s Cup title. In 186 career games at the helm, she holds the second-most wins in the history of the organization. Brian Agler holds the record for most regular-season wins as head coach of the Storm with 136 from 2008 to 2014.
Leading the Storm to four playoff appearances in five years, Quinn achieved a postseason record of 4-8. Failing to lead Seattle to a fifth championship, the team did not make a finals appearance during her tenure. In 2021, Quinn finished with a 16-10 record as head coach; however, Seattle lost to the Phoenix Mercury in the second round of the playoffs.
The Storm announced today that Head Coach Noelle Quinn’s contract will not be renewed for the 2026 season.
Thank you, Noelle for your dedication and commitment to the Storm.
📰 https://t.co/vSAjG2qd2D pic.twitter.com/PBfj6rvIZU
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) September 21, 2025
In 2022, the Storm fell short, losing to the Aces in the second round. After missing the playoffs entirely in 2023, they were swept by A’ja Wilson and Las Vegas in the first round in 2024.
While Quinn was a successful head coach, she failed to bring a championship to Seattle. An elite franchise, the Storm—along with the Houston Comets and Minnesota Lynx— are three of the most accomplished teams in WNBA history. It’s clear the organization prioritizes winning and will hire a new head coach to lead the team back to championship caliber status.
A Season Defined by Inconsistencies
It was a disappointing season for Seattle, despite having one of the most talented rosters in the WNBA. Not only were Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, and Gabby Williams named WNBA All-Stars, but the Storm also found its future in No. 2 overall pick and French sensation, Dominique Malonga.
After trading for veteran guard Brittney Sykes, the Storm finished with a 23-21 record, and a fourth-quarter comeback against the Golden State Valkyries secured the No. 7 seed. Ranked among the top four teams defensively, their season fell short by just one possession. All season, the team has hampered by a lack of dominance on the boards and uneven offensive play. To be fair, I couldn’t fully figure out this team. Inconsistent is the word that best describes the 2025 Seattle Storm.
THE LAS VEGAS ACES FIGHT OFF THE COMEBACK AND ARE MOVING ON! 🤯#WNBA pic.twitter.com/QxKEnMHOqN
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 19, 2025
Questions and Scrutiny Under Noelle Quinn
Under Quinn’s leadership, questions and scrutiny arose. Quinn and the coaching staff were involved in investigations, including a formal complaint from Jewell Loyd in 2024. Following Loyd’s departure to the Aces, Li Yueru requested a trade from Seattle in June. While Malonga became a fixture down the stretch, questions were raised about her usage and Quinn’s rotations. Quinn remained even-keeled, though some felt her style wasn’t aggressive enough.
In the end, Noelle Quinn’s squad was just one point away from reaching the semifinals. They even snapped the Aces’ 17-game win streak, along with the Lynx’s hot streak. Ultimately, success goes far beyond winning regular-season games.
While the future is unclear, the Storm will begin its quest for a new head coach immediately. With the CBA set to expire, the team could have a bright future with the potential return of core players such as Ogwumike, Diggins, and Williams. Eight players are set to become free agents, meaning the team could shift in several ways. Additionally, Seattle has one of the most vibrant arenas and state-of-the-art training facilities.
The Seattle Storm now joins the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire as the only teams with coaching vacancies. The question remains: Could proper amenities and a new coaching staff lure free agents in the offseason?
