Orlando Magic assistant Nate Tibbets will be the new head coach of WNBA powerhouse Phoenix Mercury as both sides are finalizing a deal, per ESPN. The deal will make TIbbets the highest paid coach in WNBA history.
Tibbets has also stints as an assistant in Portland and Cleveland before he was named a top assistant under Jamahl Mosley in Orlando.
Phoenix recently announced plans to build a practice facility as part of a new $100 million investment by new governor Mat Isbia. The Mercury finished with the WNBA’s worst record this season at 9-31.
Tibbetts replaces interim head coach Nikki Blue, who replaced former head coach Vanessa Nygaard in June. Mercury will hope to rebuild after experiencing the third worst season in the history of the franchise.
A season that started with big hopes after the triumphant return of Brittney Griner, ended up in disaster due to many factors, such as the ineffectiveness of the club’s legend Diana Taurasi and the fractured relationship with star guard Skylar Diggins-Smith.
ESPN story on Orlando Magic top assistant Nate Tibbetts finalizing a deal to become the new head coach of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury https://t.co/rfZv51O2qf
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 16, 2023
