Florida Gulf Coast Eagles head coach Karl Smesko talks with guard Sofia Persson (2) throughout the first quarter of the ASUN convention match semifinal towards the Austin Peay Woman Governors at Alico Area in Fort Myers on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. The Atlanta Dream have turned to the school ranks for his or her subsequent head coach. hiring longtime Florida Gulf Coast ladies’s coach Karl Smesko.
He’s leaving Florida Gulf Coast instantly, two video games into the brand new season.
“Karl is a confirmed chief with a historical past of growing his gamers and making a profitable tradition,” Dream common supervisor Dan Padover mentioned. “His fast-paced, modern model of play might be engaging to our gamers and followers alike. We’re excited to have Karl carry his unimaginable basketball IQ to the Dream.”
Smesko’s offenses are designed round 3-point taking pictures, and Florida Gulf Coast set the document for threes on a season with 431 in 2017-18.
Smesko, 54, spent 23 years on the college and oversaw its rise from Division II. With the Eagles, his document was 611-110 (.847), and he led the group to 14 Atlantic Solar Convention regular-season titles and 10 NCAA Tournaments. His program posted 25 wins in 14 consecutive seasons, a feat matched solely by the UConn ladies.
“I’m humbled and honored to be the pinnacle coach of the Atlanta Dream,” Smesko mentioned. “I’m grateful for a outstanding 23 years at FGCU and might be without end indebted to the wonderful ladies who’ve performed for me, the unimaginable professionals who’ve coached with me, and the passionate fanbase who supported us alongside the way in which. I am grateful to the management of the Atlanta Dream for his or her religion in me to steer this group into the long run and may’t wait to get began.”
In Atlanta, he replaces Tanisha Wright, who was fired final month after three seasons.
The Dream posted a 15-25 document in 2024 and had been swept within the first spherical of the playoffs for the second straight yr, this time by eventual WNBA champion New York Liberty. Wright was 48-68 total with the Dream.
Florida Gulf Coast didn’t instantly announcement a substitute for Smesko. The group is off to an 0-2 begin.
–Area Stage Media