Storm narrows coach search

Sonics and Storm chairman Clay Bennett has received a shortened list of potential Storm coaching candidates from Karen Bryant, the team's chief operating officer.

Bryant hopes to have a replacement for Anne Donovan hired by mid-January. Donovan resigned as coach on Nov. 30.

All the candidates on Bryant's list have WNBA coaching experience. But Bryant didn't make recommendations because she has been unable to speak in-depth with everyone. Once Bryant has spoken with all the candidates, whom she would not name, she hopes to have an even shorter list for Bennett to review and possibly interview.

"It's the single most important thing we're going to do this offseason, so we're going to be very diligent," Bryant said of the hiring process.

Assistant coach Shelley Patterson, who will be retained on the new staff, and two-time league MVP Lauren Jackson, who's playing in Russia, are involved in the coaching search.

Bryant has not decided whether Donovan's coaching and general-managing duties will be split. The Storm last had a separate general manager from September 2002 to November 2003, when Billy McKinney, former executive vice president, held the position.

Bryant said all of the candidates are capable of assuming GM responsibilities, but she said some are better suited to be only a coach.

The hire is a pivotal move for the Storm. Only four players are under contract, including Jackson, and talented free agents are available as the team tries to avoid a fourth consecutive first-round playoff exit.

But the WNBA has yet to ratify a new collective-bargaining agreement with its union, possibly delaying January's date for free-agency talks to begin.

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com