Originally published Monday, December 24, 2007 at 12:00 AM
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...
Seattle Times staff reporter
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
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
Exclusive chat with Storm coach Brian Agler and CEO Karen Bryant
NEW - 12:23 AM
Storm's Agler, Bryant on Bird, LJ, 2010

Pelosi answers questions at Swedish Medical Center
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi answers questions after addressing the media at Swedish Medical Center regarding health care.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- 3 Cascade Mountain passes close due to snow; more rain, wind expected Sunday
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Teenage serial burglar suspected in more Camano Island burglaries
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
246 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
213 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
152 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
138 - Alleged shooter tied to mosque of 9/11 hijackers
132 - Obama puts heat on Senate to speed health bill
123 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
106 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
90 - Ayn Rand: goddess of the market, gateway to the American right
79 - Cutaia says replay handled properly on Austin TD
66
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- 10 ways to take control of your health
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- Taste | Ruth Reichl still reigns as queen of America's culinary scene
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor








