No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Episode: Jose Fernandez on Coaching Paige Bueckers—and Why the WNBA Was the Right Next Step
Release Date: December 19, 2025
Hosts: Sabrina Merchant, Ben Pickman, Zena Keita
Guest: Jose Fernandez (Dallas Wings Head Coach)

Episode Overview

This episode features an exclusive conversation with Jose Fernandez, the new head coach of the Dallas Wings, fresh from a long and decorated college coaching career at South Florida. Sabrina and Ben first dive into breaking news about the WNBA Players Association authorizing a strike action, examining its context and implications, before shifting focus to Fernandez’s journey, his transition to the WNBA, and his plans for Dallas—especially regarding coaching superstar Paige Bueckers. The discussion is rich in behind-the-scenes insights on labor negotiations, international recruiting, modern college basketball challenges, and WNBA team-building.

Key Segments & Highlights

Breaking News: WNBA Players Association Strike Authorization

[02:50 - 19:12]

Background & Context

• The WNBPA voted to empower its executive committee to call a strike if deemed necessary, signaling escalating tensions in league negotiations.
• This is not an immediate strike call, but a procedural measure for potential labor action if talks stall.

Player Solidarity and League Response

• 93% of union members voted, with 98% in favor of strike authorization.
• WNBPA’s statement: “[This] is neither a call for an immediate strike nor an intention to pursue one. Rather... an emphatic affirmation of the players’ confidence in their leadership and unwavering solidarity against ongoing efforts to divide, conquer, and undervalue them.” — Sabrina Merchant [04:05]
• The league’s statement disputes the players’ characterization, insisting negotiations are in good faith and outlining financial proposals for player compensation, salary structure, and revenue-sharing.

Labor Sticking Points

• Core disagreements revolve around players seeking a revenue-tied salary cap and greater transparency for league earnings, as opposed to the league’s current fixed cap stance.
• The discussion references Adam Silver’s recent comments suggesting the potential need for NBA involvement:
  • “...What we're doing right now isn't really getting us anywhere. So if it means that Adam and NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum need to come to the table, we're more than happy to have that.” — Ben Pickman quoting Breanna Stewart [09:22]
• Deep trust issues persist, highlighted by WNBPA VP Nafisa Collier’s remark:
  • “...Nothing has changed since then, but I feel really confident in our PA and where we are internally with our players.” [17:42]

Outlook

• Both sides agree on the importance of continued WNBA growth but remain far apart on how economic gains should be distributed.
• Sabrina’s wrap-up: “The answer right now, no deal. And I'm not thinking that there's going to be a deal by January 9th.” [19:12]

Main Interview: Jose Fernandez, Dallas Wings Head Coach

[21:39 - 46:28]

Personal & Coaching Background

[21:39 - 25:55]

• Fernandez’s unique morning routine: caring for eight rescue dogs, managed chiefly by his wife.
  • "Our house is chaos. It’s a zoo, but it’s fun and there’s a lot of life in our house." — Jose Fernandez [23:27]
• Started coaching in his early 20s at Miami Dade, learning every aspect of the profession at the junior college level.

Recruiting International Talent

[25:55 - 29:17]

• Shifted recruiting philosophy when competing in the Big East and American conferences, emphasizing international scouting at FIBA events.
• The importance of building trust with international federations and coaches:
  • "The federations want to make sure that they're going to be confident in the recruiting process and the development of the future of their national team members..." [28:17]

Notable Players: Courtney Williams and Beyond

[29:17 - 32:59]

• Recollections of recruiting and developing WNBA guard Courtney Williams:
  • "I didn’t have to coach effort with Courtney. She took it personal every single day to put it on our male scrimmage team." — Jose Fernandez [31:39]

Views on the State of College Basketball

[32:59 - 37:55]

• Fernandez critiques NCAA changes: Transfer portal timing, impact of the NET/quadrant systems for tournament seeding, and how these affect mid-majors.
  • “There are major, major flaws in this system...you can really beat a really good team...by three, four points, and someone behind you can play a team in the 300s and win by 45 and move up in the net.” [36:37]

Transition to the WNBA: Motivations & Vision

[37:55 - 40:56]

• Moving to the WNBA was motivated by a desire to leave a “broken” college system and the appeal of working with elite pros:
  • “If I was coaching professional basketball in college, I said, you know what, why don’t I do this in the WNBA? Because I think, you know, getting an opportunity to go coach the best players in the world, that’s something that you strive for.” [38:50]
• On relationships with current players (notably Paige Bueckers): frequent texts and calls to start building trust and tactical understanding.

Building Around Paige Bueckers

[40:56 - 42:44]

• Establishing rapport and understanding her strengths, with input from her UConn coach Geno Auriemma and others:
  • “It was great to get his perspective on things because he cares deeply about her...and her success in the future.” [42:44]

Learning from Peers & Building for Dallas

[42:44 - 46:07]

• Fernandez taps into a network of college-to-WNBA coaches for advice (Nikki Collen, Kurt Miller, Lynn Roberts, Carl Smesko, Nate Tibbetts).
• His expectation: playoff contention in Year One.
  • “I didn’t leave a wonderful place if I didn’t think I can come here and win…short term…getting to the playoffs immediately. Can’t win a championship without getting to the playoffs.” [44:28]
• Stresses culture: “That locker room’s got to be great...and we got some very, very talented, talented individuals on our roster. And I know there’s a lot of unknowns, but I feel really, really good at where we’re at and where we’re going to be at.” [45:33]

Roundtable Reactions & Analysis

[48:49 - 56:51]

Impressions of Fernandez’s Fit in Dallas

• Fernandez has an “energy shift, like a total energy shift” and presents as confident, not arrogant. His long experience as a communicator, recruiter, and relationship-builder make him a promising leader for Dallas. — Ben Pickman [51:38]
• Zena and Ben observe his international recruiting strength is well-suited to an era where teams like Connecticut and Golden State look more globally.

The Runway for Success

• Despite Dallas’ recent churn in head coaches, the panel agrees Fernandez and GM Kurt Miller likely have more time to install lasting change, though expectations are high with Paige Bueckers and the #1 pick on the roster.
  • “It would be pretty surprising, no matter what the result or what the record is of this team, for them to make any kind of move. I think, you know, they're both in a better position to succeed and also, you know, want this to succeed as well.” — Ben Pickman [56:25]
• Sabrina: “If they missed the playoffs, I’d still be surprised if there wasn’t some change at the front office level…" [56:51]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On WNBA labor negotiations:
  • “They believe their economic model is the only way for the WNBA to ensure profitability. And I don't see the players moving on the fact that they believe that their economic model is the only way that they benefit from the growth of the league in a way that they really haven't before…” — Sabrina Merchant [13:48]
• On Paige Bueckers:
  • “Got a lot of texts and phone calls and really honest conversations about last year, how she felt last year…really getting a feel for her on what she likes with the ball in her hands, off the ball.” — Jose Fernandez [40:56]
• On Dallas Wings culture:
  • “…It’s also just can’t be from the front office and the coaching staff. You know, we have to have…this has got to be a team if we’re going to be very, very successful…our culture’s got to be great, it’s got to be player led.” — Jose Fernandez [45:33]

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | | ----------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- | | 02:50-19:12 | WNBPA strike authorization, background, league and player reactions | | 21:39-25:55 | Jose Fernandez’s background, family & dogs | | 25:55-29:17 | International recruiting, federation relationships | | 29:17-32:59 | Courtney Williams, player development stories | | 32:59-37:55 | Changes & issues in college coaching, transfer portal, NET | | 37:55-40:56 | Transition reasoning: leaving NCAA for WNBA | | 40:56-42:44 | Building relationship with Paige Bueckers; learning from Auriemma | | 42:44-44:05 | Learning from peer coaches; navigating the WNBA shift | | 44:05-46:07 | Dallas ambitions: Playoffs, culture, short and long-term success | | 48:49-51:38 | Panel analysis: strengths Fernandez brings to Dallas | | 51:38-56:51 | Culture shift, international focus, organizational runway |

Summary

This episode delivers exclusive news analysis and an in-depth interview with new Dallas Wings coach Jose Fernandez. Listeners will gain clarity on the tense WNBA labor climate, the behind-the-scenes work of a leader transitioning from college to professional basketball, and why Dallas has reason for optimism with Fernandez’s blend of international recruiting, relationship-building, and unflinching focus on culture. The panel’s honest, insightful discussion provides a thorough orientation for WNBA fans and basketball followers navigating a season—and a league—in transition.