The Atlanta Dream women’s basketball team has a new coach courtside: Nicki Collen, who hopes to reverse the recent fortunes of the city’s WNBA franchise.
Colleen most recently was an assistant coach with the Connecticut Sun, where the team posted a 21-13 record under head coach Curt Miller.
After she was hired in October, Collen said ““I am humbled at the opportunity to become the next Head Coach of the Atlanta Dream and incredibly proud to be associated with a league that empowers women in such a positive way,” according to a WNBA press release. “I want to thank owners Mary Brock and Kelly Loeffler, as well as team President Theresa Wenzel for believing in me and what we can accomplish together. I was blown away by their passion and commitment to the Dream and to the city of Atlanta.”
The Dream went 12-22 last season, culminating in the firing of head coach Michael Cooper. Colleen said that she was actually surprised she got the call. “I was shocked at first,” Collen told Atlanta Magazine, “but I was also incredibly humbled. [I was] just living the dream.”
Colleen will get an Atlanta squad stocked with eager talent: Tiffany Hayes, Layshia Clarendon Damiris Dantas, Bria Holmes and Elizabeth Williams all shined at one point or another last season.
Let’s hope they can string together some victories and give Atlanta another winner.