REPORT: Teresa Weatherspoon Withdraws from Phoenix Mercury Head Coaching Job, Remains Assistant with New Orleans
The Phoenix Mercury’s search for their next head coach will continue after New Orleans assistant coach Teresa Weatherspoon withdrew her name from consideration as the next head honcho of the Mercury, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Sources: Basketball Hall of Famer Teresa Weatherspoon is removing her name from consideration for head coaching job with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury – after the New Orleans Pelicans successfully push to keep their well-regarded assistant coach.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 19, 2022
Charania reports Weatherspoon believes there is more to accomplish in her role with the Pelicans. At the same time, team officials also shared with The Athletic that Weatherspoon will be a serious candidate for an NBA head coaching gig in the near future.
The former two-time Defensive Player of the Year is currently in her third season in New Orleans, joining as a player development coach in 2019 before being promoted to assistant in 2020. The 1988 national champion has proven experience at the helm of a team, taking the head coaching job at her alma mater Louisiana Tech in 2009, leading the Bulldogs to an 87-51 overall record from 2009-2014.
The Mercury will turn its attention toward Stephanie White, who is reportedly a finalist for the job per Just Women’s Sports. Phoenix has been looking to fill their head coach vacancies since the franchise and Sandy Brondello parted ways in early December. Brondello landed back on her feet quickly, taking over as head coach of the New York Liberty.
With the Mercury and former head coach Sandy Brondello parting ways in early December and becoming the New York Liberty head coach, Phoenix could turn its attention toward Stephanie White, who reportedly was a finalist for the position last week.
