Arlington, TX (Oct. 27, 2025) — The Dallas Wings are ushering in a new era of leadership, naming Jose Fernandez as the franchise’s next head coach. The move signals a commitment to player development, experience, and global vision, as the Wings turn to a proven program-builder with nearly 35 years of coaching experience — including 25 remarkable seasons leading the University of South Florida (USF) women’s basketball program.

The Wings will introduce Fernandez formally at a press conference on November 6 in Dallas, with additional details to be released in the coming days.

A Proven Builder and Developer of Talent

Fernandez, who compiled nearly 500 career victories at USF, transformed the Bulls into one of the most consistently competitive programs in women’s college basketball. Under his guidance, the team earned 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, 19 postseason berths, and two American Athletic Conference (AAC) championships in both the regular season and tournament play over the past four years.

Even more impressive is his influence beyond the collegiate level. Fernandez has helped more than 100 players transition to professional basketball careers around the world, including seven WNBA Draft selections. Among those are current league standouts Courtney Williams (Minnesota Lynx) and Kitija Laksa (Phoenix Mercury). In total, nearly 30 of his former players are competing professionally during the 2025-26 season — a testament to his reputation as one of the sport’s premier developers of talent.

“Jose is one of the most respected veteran coaches in women’s basketball,” said Curt Miller, Dallas Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager. “He’s a proven winner who consistently produces professional players and is highly regarded for his preparation, grit, and ability to elevate talent. As the WNBA becomes increasingly global, no coach has recruited and coached international players better than Jose. I’m excited to partner with him and support his vision for the Wings.”

A Vision for Excellence in Dallas

Fernandez steps into a franchise seeking renewed direction and sustained success. The Wings, who have assembled a young, dynamic core led by Paige Bueckers, Maddy Siegrist, and Teaira McCowan, now add a coach known for discipline, structure, and player empowerment.

In his first statement as head coach, Fernandez emphasized a culture of accountability and championship ambition.
“We will be relentless in our pursuit of excellence,” Fernandez said. “Everything we do will be approached with elite standards and a championship mindset. I’m grateful for this opportunity and will work tirelessly to make the Wings organization and the DFW community proud.”

Fernandez’s long list of accomplishments includes recruiting and coaching 58 all-conference players, two Associated Press Honorable Mention All-Americans, and multiple conference award winners across every major category. His consistent ability to identify and develop elite talent has drawn praise from coaches nationwide and earned him recognition as a two-time AAC Coach of the Year and finalist for the 2021 WBCA National Coach of the Year.

A Global Basketball Mindset

Beyond college basketball, Fernandez has played an active role in USA Basketball, helping capture two gold medals with the U18 and U19 national teams as an assistant coach. His recruiting reach spans over 22 countries, aligning perfectly with the Wings’ growing international roster and global ambitions.

A Miami native, Fernandez’s journey through basketball has been a steady rise built on adaptability and leadership. Before his success at USF, he gained experience at Miami-Dade College, Barry University, and Lourdes Academy, working on both the men’s and women’s sides of the game.

A Family Man and Competitor

Away from the sidelines, Fernandez is deeply rooted in family and community. He and his wife, Tonya, are the proud parents of five daughters — Sydnie, Alex, Taylor, Brianna, and Brooke — and are passionate animal advocates with eight rescue dogs.

The Road Ahead

The Wings’ decision to bring in Jose Fernandez marks a strategic shift toward long-term stability and growth. His combination of experience, international reach, and developmental success fits the franchise’s blueprint as it continues to build around a talented roster and deepen its WNBA presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

With Fernandez at the helm, the Wings appear poised to take flight toward their ultimate goal — becoming a championship contender and a model organization in women’s professional basketball.