Agler named new Storm coach

San Antonio assistant coach Brian Agler was officially named the Storm's coach and director of player personnel today, replacing Anne Donovan, who resigned Nov. 30.

"I'm very excited about coming to Seattle, and working for one of the most successful professional women's basketball franchises in history," Agler said. "This franchise has won a championship, and I'm ready to work hard to get this team back to reach that ultimate goal. There is fresh new energy surrounding the Storm and I am thrilled to be a part of it."

Agler, 49, served as Dan Hughes' assistant with the WNBA San Antonio team the past three seasons. When Hughes tore his right Achilles tendon last spring, Agler assumed Hughes' coaching responsibilities, leading the Silver Stars to an 8-2 record before the All-Star break. The team finished 20-14, losing to eventual WNBA champion Phoenix in the Western Conference finals.

Agler, who won the only two titles in the defunct ABL as coach of the Columbus Quest, was coach and general manager of the Minnesota Lynx from 1999 to 2002. While with the Lynx, he traded current Storm guard Betty Lennox, the 2000 Rookie of the Year, to the now-defunct Miami Sol in 2002 after she dislocated her hip. Lennox called Agler "a liar and a con artist" at the time, but in a recent interview, Lennox said what happened was "in the past."

Lennox, the team's second-leading scorer last season (13.4), is an unrestricted free agent, as are most of the Storm players. Only two-time MVP Lauren Jackson, rookie Katie Gearlds, forward Iziane Castro Marques, and guard Tanisha Wright are under contract for 2008.

Donovan was both the coach and director of player personnel with the Storm. Agler also will handle both roles because of his experience. He'll design his roster around Jackson and could make re-signing point guard Sue Bird a priority.

The WNBA's expansion draft for Atlanta makes players vulnerable, and the league and its union have yet to ratify a new collective-bargaining agreement to open free agency. Signings have begun Feb. 1 in the past.

Bird called her first dip into free-agency "weird," and emphasized "Seattle is where I want to be." But she added that having several Storm players become free agents the same year the CBA expires is unfortunate.

Agler may want to drastically alter the roster of a team that couldn't get past the opening round of the playoffs the past three seasons after winning a the WNBA title in 2004. Donovan was 93-77 in five seasons in Seattle.

"We were at a point as a franchise where we weren't doing what we were built to do," Bird said. "The first round is not good enough. I would never have said, 'Oh, it's Anne's fault,' or 'Her leaving is going to be a good thing.' But maybe change can be good.

"I'm sad in a way because you develop a chemistry, especially as a point guard, but, again, maybe it could be a good thing for our team moving forward."

Karen Bryant, the team's chief operating officer, conducted the search for the team's third head coach -- and its first male. She gave a short final list to owner Clay Bennett, who made the final decision with the consent of the new ownership group, Force 10 Hoops.

"Minutes into my meeting with Brian, I knew he was the right fit for the Storm head coaching position, '' Bennett said. "He brings an impressive record of experience in the WNBA and is highly respected in all circles of professional basketball. It's an exciting time for the Storm and we look forward to watching Brian shape this team for even greater success.''

Added Bryant: "Our final selection was unanimous. He [Bennett] did advise the new ownership group of the selection, and they endorsed the decision."

Current assistant Shelley Patterson will be retained, Bryant added.

"Our final selection was unanimous," said Bryant, who added that current assistant Shelley Patterson will be retained. "He [Bennett] did advise the new ownership group of the selection, and they endorsed the decision."

Agler has compiled a 48-67 WNBA record. He was a combined 248-135 in 13 seasons coaching women's basketball at Kansas State and Missouri-Kansas City.