Seattle Storm head coach Noelle Quinn will not continue in her position for the 2026 season, the organization announced on Sunday. The decision comes after the Storm’s defeat to the Las Vegas Aces in the first round of the playoffs, where they fell 2-1. Quinn, 40, had a distinguished playing career in the WNBA, competing from 2007 to 2018, including two stints with the Storm. She concluded her playing career with a WNBA championship in 2018, precisely with the Storm. Subsequently, in 2019, she became an assistant to coach Dan Hughes. She took over as head coach at the beginning of the 2021 season, when Hughes resigned after six games due to health problems. During her time leading the team, Quinn, the only Black head coach in the WNBA, compiled a 97-89 regular season record and 4-8 in the playoffs. The Storm reached the second round in 2021, the semifinals in 2022, and were eliminated in the first round in the last two seasons. They failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2023.
In the current season, the Storm recorded a 23-21 record, securing the seventh spot for the playoffs. After losing the first game 102-77 in Las Vegas, they bounced back with an 86-83 victory in the second match, played in Seattle. In the decisive third game in Las Vegas, they were close to surprising the Aces, but a missed shot in the final seconds cost them the 74-73 defeat.On behalf of our organization, I would like to thank Noelle for her time with the Storm. Her commitment to the continued success of our organization and to the development of our players was unsurpassed. She put us in a position to win at the highest level of the game and for that, we are grateful.
Talisa Rhea, General Manager
Quinn’s tenure as head coach in Seattle had highlights, such as reaching the semifinals in 2022, which marked the end of legendary point guard Sue Bird’s career. However, there were also challenges, including a dispute between Quinn, her staff, and star guard Jewell Loyd, which escalated last year and led to Loyd’s departure. Loyd alleged harassment by the Storm’s coaching staff. The organization conducted an independent investigation into the allegations, which concluded in December without finding any violations. Subsequently, the Storm transferred Loyd at her request, and this season she played with the Aces. After the Aces’ victory in Seattle on June 1, Loyd alleged that an assistant coach from the Storm had insulted her. The WNBA reviewed the complaint, but no disciplinary action was taken.I am very proud of my team, of the growth they showed, of the resilience to be in this moment. I really wanted this for this group, because they worked very hard. That’s the competitor in me. I played a lot of basketball, sometimes I wish I were out there with them. This was a group that was so committed to each other and to what we wanted to do this year.
Noelle Quinn
