Dream hires Florida Gulf Coast’s Karl Smesko as head coach

The Atlanta Dream managed to do what many other teams have tried to do over the years. They lured Karl Smesko away from Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Smesko was announced as the Dream’s new head coach on Wednesday. He built FGCU into a perennial NCAA tournament team and went 611-112 – a winning percentage of .845 – in his 23 years as the school’s first and only coach.

At the women’s Division I level, only FGCU and UConn have won 25 or more games each of the last 14 seasons.

“The W has fascinated me as a possibility for a long time,” Smekso said Wednesday. “When this opportunity arose, it really seemed like the right place and time. I had great conversations with the managing director and with his owners and this is the right move for me.”

The Eagles were one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country. They hit 300 or more 3-pointers in 15 consecutive seasons and set the NCAA record with 431 in 2018.

That caught the attention of many larger Division I schools, with some power conferences — even some other WNBA teams — trying to hire Smesko in recent years. He never thought until now that the time was right to move.

“Karl is a proven leader with a history of developing his players and creating a winning culture,” said Dream GM Dan Padover. “His fast-paced, innovative style of play will be attractive to our players and fans alike. We are excited to have Karl bring his incredible basketball IQ to the Dream.”

Smesko, 54, will join the franchise later this month. His top assistant, former FCGU player Chelsea Lyles, was named the Eagles’ next coach shortly after Smesko’s move to Atlanta was announced. Lyles – now the second female coach in FGCU program history – will make her debut in her new role when the Eagles play NJIT on Sunday in Fort Myers.

“Chelsea will do an excellent job,” Smesko said. “There couldn’t be anyone more ready for this opportunity.”

Atlanta went 15-25 this year and needed to win its final games to qualify for the playoffs. There is a strong young core, led by Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray as well as experienced center Tina Charles. The Dream have not had a winning record since the 2018 season.

Smesko brought a complicated and effective offensive system to FGCU – 3-pointers or layups are the goal, mid-range jumpers are frowned upon – and it has worked wonders, as his teams won 30 or more games seven times and finished with one Winning percentage of .800 or better 15 times.

He believes that great things are in store for the dream.

“I’m not afraid of a challenge,” Smesko said. “Things are set for big things to happen in Atlanta, and if we make great decisions along the way and continue to improve, anything is possible. “I wouldn’t be going to Atlanta if I didn’t think the WNBA championship wasn’t a realistic possibility.”

Dream owner Larry Gottesdiener called the hiring “an exciting moment for our fans, the city of Atlanta and the entire Dream organization.”

“A great basketball spirit is coming to our city,” Gottesdiener said. “Karl’s passion and commitment to women’s basketball brings out the best in everyone around him. I am confident that we have found the right leader to take our organization to the next level.”

The Dream fired former coach Tanisha Wright last month after Atlanta fell in the opening round of the playoffs for the second straight year. Smesko said part of the lure of the job is joining the WNBA at a time of tremendous popularity, fueled in part by enthusiasm for young stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese last season.

“The W is currently on the rise and growing rapidly and the future growth potential is exceptional,” Smesko said. “I’m definitely happy about that. In our preseason workouts at FGCU, our film sessions break down the WNBA postseason games. That’s why being such a big fan of the league makes it even more exciting for me to have this opportunity.”

Atlanta was one of seven WNBA coaching spots this offseason, a record. Three are now filled, with Stephanie White heading to Indiana and Ty Marsh taking over in Chicago. There are still vacancies in Washington, Dallas, Los Angeles and Connecticut.