Jose Fernandez was in discussion with the Dallas Wings about their vacant head coaching job last year, but was ultimately passed over.
This year, he got the call.
The Wings are planning to make Fernandez their next coach, according to SB Nation on Thursday.
The 53-year-old Fernandez spent the last 25 years at the University of South Florida as coach of the women’s team, leading the Bulls to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Dallas considered hiring Fernandez last year, but went with Chris Koclanes instead. Koclanes was fired after going 10-34 in one season.
Fernandez becomes the fifth Wings coach in the last seven seasons, and takes over a team that returns 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year winner Paige Buckers.
While Fernandez and the Wings are still finalising his contract, South Florida has announced that Fernandez is leaving the program to coach in the WNBA.
“While this is a bittersweet moment for our program, it is a well-deserved opportunity for Jose to realise a professional dream, and we are incredibly proud of him,” USF athletics CEO Rob Higgins said in a statement/
Dallas Wings expected to hire longtime college coach to lead Paige Bueckers and co. https://t.co/57Q7qJXPaD
— SB Nation (@SBNation) October 23, 2025