USF women's basketball coach Jose Fernandez reportedly leaving for WNBA's Wings

Joey Knight, Tampa Bay Times on Oct 23, 2025

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TAMPA, Fla. — USF women’s basketball coach Jose Fernandez, who led the Bulls to unprecedented success during his quarter-century tenure, is leaving for a WNBA head coaching opportunity, reportedly with the Dallas Wings.

Various media outlets were reporting Thursday that Fernandez, 53, was closing in on a deal to coach the struggling franchise, which fired first-year coach Chris Koclanes after a 10-34 season.

In a statement released by the university, CEO of athletics Rob Higgins called the news “a bittersweet moment for our program.” Michele Woods-Baxter, Fernandez’s assistant the last 17 seasons, will serve as interim coach this season.

USF opens its season Nov. 3 at home against FIU.

“Over the past 25 years, Jose has been an exceptional leader, mentor and advocate for the University of South Florida,” Higgins said. “His impact on USF Athletics and our university community is profound, and his legacy will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.”

Fernandez was thrust into the Bulls head-coaching job on an interim basis on Nov. 14, 2000 — four days shy of his 29th birthday — amid several racial-discrimination lawsuits filed against predecessor Jerry Ann Winters. He ultimately earned the job full time and helped catapult the program to previously uncharted heights.

He totaled only 25 wins his first three years before leading the program to seven consecutive postseason berths. On Fernandez’s watch, USF reached 10 NCAA Tournaments, won two regular-season conference titles and two conference tournament championships, and won the 2009 WNIT. Nine of his players became WNBA draft picks.

He exits with a 485-317 record that includes a dozen 20-win seasons.

Fernandez inherits a Wings franchise that finished with the WNBA’s worst record but has a potential franchise player in reigning Rookie of the Year (and former UConn star) Paige Bueckers. The roster also features four-time WNBA All-Star guard Arike Ogunbowale, who led Notre Dame to a national title in 2018.