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Sources: USF head coach Jose Fernandez expected to take over as Dallas Wings head coach

Talia-HS-white-300x300by: Talia Goodman10/23/25TaliaGoodmanWBB
NCAA Womens Basketball: South Florida at Connecticut
Nov 10, 2024; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; South Florida Bulls head coach Jose Fernandez watches from the sideline as they take on the UConn Huskies at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Barring an unexpected turn of events, USF women’s basketball head coach Jose Fernandez is expected to take over as the next Dallas Wings head coach, multiple sources confirmed to On3. Fernandez has been the head coach at USF since 2000 and has led the Bulls to eight trips to the NCAA Tournament and nine WNIT appearances. 

The Bulls have consistently been one of the top mid-majors in the country – and it’s all Fernandez’s doing. He was named the 2018 and 2021 American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Last season, USF made its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance after a 23-11 overall record and a 13-4 mark in conference play. 

The Dallas Wings let go of head coach Chris Koclanes after just one season at the helm and a 10-34 record. Fernandez will now likely be tasked with coaching the 2025 No. 1 overall draft pick, Paige Bueckers.

USF’s athletic director Rob Higgins released a statement alluding to the move:

“Women’s Basketball head coach Jose Fernandez has informed me of his decision to pursue an opportunity to coach at the next level in the WNBA,” Higgins wrote. “While this is a bittersweet moment for our program, it is a well-deserved opportunity for Jose to realize a professional dream, and we are incredibly proud of him.”

The statement also noted that associate head coach Michele Woods-Baxter will serve as interim head coach of USF women’s basketball for the 2025-26 season.