Rachid Meziane’s journey to the WNBA

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Rachid Meziane’s Journey to the WNBA"

Podcast Information:

• Title: No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
• Host: Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman
• Episode: Rachid Meziane’s Journey to the WNBA
• Release Date: January 24, 2025

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1. Introduction to Rachid Meziane’s Appointment ([04:38] - [06:47])

The episode begins with Zena Caida introducing Rachid Meziane, the newly appointed head coach of the Connecticut Sun. Meziane is highlighted as the first overseas coach to secure a head coaching position in the WNBA, bringing a wealth of international experience from coaching teams in France and the Belgian national team.

Notable Quote:

"Rasheed Mezian is fitting right in. We're going to talk about his process to getting to Connecticut, what he believes that his international experience can bring to this team and the league overall." – Zena Caida ([04:38])

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2. The Hiring Process and Initial Impressions ([06:47] - [09:17])

Meziane discusses his recruitment process, detailing his interviews with key figures like Jennifer Rosati and Morgan Tuck. He emphasizes the importance of his existing relationships and reputation in Europe, which facilitated his selection despite being an overseas candidate.

Notable Quote:

"I think that if you ask me for a second interview and the further interview that you know, they want to just spend time and waste time with me." – Rasheed Mezian ([06:47])

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3. Bridging International and WNBA Basketball Styles ([09:52] - [12:02])

The conversation shifts to the differences between European basketball and the WNBA. Meziane highlights the need for higher basketball IQ, stronger fundamentals, and team-oriented defense in the WNBA's more physical environment. He aims to integrate these elements to enhance the Connecticut Sun's performance.

Notable Quote:

"I would like to share the scoring responsibilities. I don't want to have in my team just one player who can score 30 points and the other ones can score two or three points." – Rasheed Mezian ([09:52])

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4. Aspiration and Career Path ([12:28] - [15:04])

Meziane reflects on his unconventional path to coaching, noting the rarity of international coaches in the WNBA. Despite not being a former professional player, his decade-long coaching career in Europe paved the way for his current role.

Notable Quote:

"It's rare because I will be the first one who come from, you know, Europe. So, yeah." – Rasheed Mezian ([12:28])

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5. Networking and Learning from Fellow Coaches ([14:18] - [19:21])

Discussing mentorship, Meziane shares his limited interactions with other international coaches like James Wade and Johan Cabioc. He plans to seek further advice to navigate the WNBA's unique demands, such as managing player fatigue and adapting to different game rules.

Notable Quote:

"We have to teach, you know, how to our young players that, you know, to build a winning culture." – Rasheed Mezian ([19:21])

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6. Personal Life and Relocation Challenges ([16:01] - [17:43])

The topic shifts to Meziane’s personal life, addressing the logistics of relocating his family to Connecticut. He opts to keep his children in France initially to ensure their education continues smoothly, planning for a permanent move after the summer.

Notable Quote:

"I think that I have to focus a little bit on my job here to adapt myself and to be comfortable." – Rasheed Mezian ([16:08])

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7. Adapting to the WNBA Environment ([18:16] - [20:47])

Meziane recounts his past exposure to the WNBA, particularly a week spent with the Minnesota Lynx under James Wade eight years prior. This experience instilled in him the importance of intensity, physicality, and creating a competitive culture—principles he intends to implement with the Sun.

Notable Quote:

"The intensity, the physicality and everything is something I take with me and try to coach like they are doing in the best league in the world." – Rasheed Mezian ([19:21])

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8. Vision for the Connecticut Sun ([22:11] - [23:20])

Expressing excitement for his new role, Meziane aligns his values with those of the Connecticut Sun, emphasizing hard work, humility, and the franchise's consistent playoff appearances. He is optimistic about the team's potential and the conducive environment in Uncasville.

Notable Quote:

"This franchise has a lot of potential, for sure." – Rasheed Mezian ([22:11])

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9. Impact on the WNBA and Future of International Coaches ([24:34] - [33:43])

Meziane discusses the broader implications of his hiring, advocating for the inclusion of more international coaches in the WNBA. He believes that integrating diverse basketball philosophies can elevate the league and inspire future generations of coaches from around the world.

Notable Quote:

"I hope that I will not be the last one. I am here to compete against the best coaches in the world." – Rasheed Mezian ([32:13])

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10. Closing Remarks ([33:43] - [34:06])

The episode concludes with heartfelt congratulations to Meziane and optimism for his tenure with the Connecticut Sun. Host Zena Caida emphasizes the significance of embracing international perspectives to foster growth within the WNBA.

Notable Quote:

"That is the only way we're going to keep growing the game." – Zena Caida ([34:06])

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Key Takeaways:

• Trailblazing Role: Rachid Meziane is the first overseas head coach in the WNBA, bringing valuable international experience.
• Coaching Philosophy: Emphasis on high basketball IQ, strong fundamentals, team defense, and shared scoring responsibilities.
• Cultural Integration: Meziane aims to blend European basketball strategies with the physical demands of the WNBA.
• Future Influence: His success could pave the way for more international coaches in the league, promoting diversity and global growth.
• Personal Commitment: Balancing professional responsibilities with family life remains a priority for Meziane as he transitions to his new role.

This episode offers an in-depth look at Rachid Meziane’s journey, his coaching vision for the Connecticut Sun, and the potential ripple effects his appointment may have on the WNBA's future.

Transcript

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[Rasheed Mezian]

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[Zena Caida]

For the athletic I'm Zena Caida and this is the Athletic Women's Basketball Show. Oh, welcome back to another special edition of the Athletic All Access where we tap in with influential voices around the world of women's hoops. Now, before we dive in, I gotta do my job and make sure that you guys are subscribed to this pod wherever you get your podcast because you're not going to want to miss out on the really cool conversations we're having, including the one today. For today's episode, Ben, Sabrina and I sit down with Rashid Mezian. This is the newest head coach of the Connecticut Sun. Now, before joining the sun, he was coaching overseas. He's actually making history as the first overseas coach to come over and become a head coach in the wnba. He was with a team in France called Vinove Dusk as well as coaching the national Belgian team and had some success with the national Belgian team in 2023, was able to bring them to the FIBA European Women's Championship. And then in 2024, you, him in the Olympics they got to the bronze medal game where they ultimately lost to Australia. So overall, his ability to bring teams to championship level performances is exactly what the Connecticut sun need. They were previously coached by Stephanie White, who recently left to join the Indiana Fever. So Rasheed Mezian is fitting right in. We're going to talk about his process to getting to Connecticut, what he believes that his international experience can bring to this team and the league overall and just get to know him a little bit better. So let's get to it. Coach Mezian, you talked a little bit on your presser about the process to come to Connecticut and we wanted to know a little bit more about that. What was it like to hear from, you know, Jennifer Rosati or Morgan Tuck and Darius Taylor about coming to Connecticut? What was the pitch?

[Rasheed Mezian]

What's the pitch? It was a long process. So I start to have some interview with Jane and Morgan beginning of November. Yeah. So for sure they start to ask me, you know, what kind of coach I am. To be honest, it was easy because I know Jen because she was a, she was, you know, assistant coach of Team usa. So I met her when I was assistant coach with the French national team. Also since I am, you know, the head, the head coach of the Belgium team. Yeah. So she knows, you know, my, my coaching style, you know, the way I like, you know, play with my teams. Yeah, she, I think that she, she just wanted to be sure that, yeah, I will, I can be the great person for this, for this job. So yeah, Morgan, I know, I know Morgan because I think when she was player, just before moving to China, I tried to sign her in France. So I know a lot, a lot about her. And yeah, the only one I didn't know, it's, it's Darius, but it's a very good guy. So we have, yeah, we have a great interview. It was, it surprised me at the, at the beginning because I said, yeah, our, we have so many American coach here. So yeah, I was a little bit surprised, but I think they want something different. And yeah, so my, my profile enters them. So yeah, so interview. We, we did the second, second one, the third one. And I start to believe on, you know, you know, to, to be hired and when, when we did our second and our third interview because at the beginning I say my, I think that my name is only just in, you know what, in long list. You know, long list. But yeah, I don't think that if you ask, if they ask me for a second interview and the further interview that you know, they want to just spend time and waste time with me.

[Zena Caida]

I'm sure you are a person they would love to spend time with. But yes, they saw the value in you as a coach. You talk about the fact that there were a lot of American coaches potentially, but Connecticut saw the value that you bring from the FIBA world and the international world of basketball. When you think about the differences and similarities between the WNBA and fiba, what are some of the things that you think that you as a coach in the international space can bring to Connecticut and capitalize on?

[Rasheed Mezian]

I think that because we, we don't have the same resource in, in America and not the same in Europe, but the basketball demands something different. And I think that we have a lot of physicality in WNBA and because we are less physical in Europe, we have to play differently. And so it means that we have to, to have a high basketball IQ because we are less physical. I think the Europan basketball demands more fundamentals control than we have to control in the wnba. So yeah, my job is I think to bring these skills to, to Connecticut. And the last thing I would, I would like to say is in, in Europe we have, we have a better, you know, team defense defense. In the WNBA it's you know, 1:1, a lot of 1:1. So in Europe we have to, you know, to organize our defense more as a team than just, you know, count only on the 1:1 defense. So yeah, yeah, so, so it's what I would like to, to bring, it's you know, this, you know, fundamentals control the passing game and yeah, play smart. And the last thing I would like, I would like to bring because it's very important for me it's you know, to, to share the scoring responsibilities. I don't want to have in my team just one player who can score 30 points and the other ones can score two or three points. I would like, you know, you know, share the, share the ball but also share the scoring responsibilities.

[Interview Host]

You mentioned being surprised that they kind of reached out to you and how the conversations progressed. Did you ever think, you know, you would, did you ever want to be a WNBA head coach? I mean, I know it's pretty rare for international born coaches to even come into the W as assistants. Right. There's not that many over the history of the league. Right. So where were you kind of at when thinking about your own career prior to this opportunity.

[Rasheed Mezian]

It's rare because I will be the first one who come from, you know, Europe. So. Yeah. And you know, when we start from the bottom, because I'm not, I am not a former player. I played, I played a good level, but not, you know, in a professional league. And so I think it means that it's hard for the time change a little bit. But yeah, 10 years ago the coaches positions are only for, you know, former players. So. Yeah, so starting from the bottom. Yeah. And not professional players. So it's why I was surprised and I'm not surprised because the WNBA wants, you know, something different and when you, when you, when you see, you know, what's happened during the last Olympic Games and a lot of European team were able to compete against, you know, the team USA women and men. So it means that, yeah, it's, it's smart, you know, from the WNBA franchise to, to, to hire, you know, maybe European coaches.

[Interview Host]

Did you talk to, you know, I know James Wade for instance, also holds French citizenship and is familiar with French basketball. Or Johan Cabioc like, you know, was a Sky assistant and now is coaching, is a head coach at Lyon, you know, Emre Vatansever obviously also with Chicago and went on to be a head coach in Turkey. Like did you talk to any of those coaches or any others about what coaching in the WNBA would be like or did you pick their brains at all throughout this process?

[Rasheed Mezian]

I talked with, I talked a little bit with James and Joran but not, not too much because I didn't have time to talk with them and they are actually, they are at this moment busy. Johan is doing a good job with Lyon right now and James is working with Toronto. So. Yeah, but I talked with them, but we scheduled to talk with Johan and James later. I will be back in France soon. Yeah, I will. Yeah. I think that it's smarter for me to call them and you know, have some advices and you know, just you know, for help me.

[Interview Participant]

What was some of the advice they gave you when you talked to them?

[Rasheed Mezian]

We didn't talk about, but I will ask them, you know how, you know, we have some, I think we have some different rules, you know, about the timeout and you know, so TV timeout, it's something we don't have in Europe. So they have to, they have to educate me on this. Yeah. And maybe, maybe how I can manage, you know, the fact that we have to play every, every three days and we have some back to back games. So. Yeah. And how I Can manage, you know, the fatigue of the players, the travel. So yeah, even if I have, I think, greet people around me with Maga and Darius who can maybe on, you know, my future assistants. Yeah, I am going to call them for that.

[Zena Caida]

Is your family going to be moving with you or are you going to split time between France and Connecticut?

[Rasheed Mezian]

So first we decided to keep my kids at school because. Yeah, so it's hard to, you know, to stop, you know, to go to school at school and. Yeah. And I think that I have to focus a little bit on my job here to adapt myself and to, and to. Yeah. To be comfortable and. Yeah, so bring, bring a family.

[Zena Caida]

Yeah.

[Rasheed Mezian]

Make me for sure some stress and. Yeah. And I don't want to be nervous, you know, from my beginning and they are at school. So my daughter, she's five years old and she starts to read and write in France. So it's not the best time to move. But they will come in April in France. We have 15 days of vacation. So they will come spend time with me and they will come after the school and be with me, around me all the summer. And we will see after the summer what, what the best decisions we have to. To take for, for my family.

[Zena Caida]

Are your kids big Vilna desk fans? Are they big basketball fans, your family?

[Rasheed Mezian]

Sorry. Yeah. Yeah, for sure they are. They are proud of me and excited. So yeah, it's a big move. So.

[Zena Caida]

Yes.

[Interview Host]

Had you ever, you know, I know some international pick the brains of American coaches sometimes. Right. I've had conversations with Natalia Hedgekova who I've saw at Liberty practice or talks to Pokey Chapman or I know of other international coaches who sometimes will go to NBA training camps, for instance, just to watch and observe. Have you ever kind of been to NBA or WNBA colleges or training camps just to get to know, learn, see what some of those practices are like?

[Rasheed Mezian]

Yeah, I have been in Minnesota, I think eight years ago when James Wade, you know, was the assistant coach of Cherry Reeves. So I spent one week there. So yeah, I learned a lot around. Close to them, around them. And yeah, it was a, you know, a good opportunity for me to, to learn. But since 2014, as a assistant coach of the French national team, as the head coach of the Belgium team, I, I don't have really big time, you know, so. But yeah, eight years ago, I think, yeah, I, I have been one week I went to Minnesota. I watched some games and practices and yeah, I, I asked some questions to, to James and yeah, and she. They are, you know, person who share A lot. So I really appreciate this time there.

[Interview Host]

What, what were some of those things you learned or that have stuck with you from that week?

[Rasheed Mezian]

The intensity, the physic physicality and everything is we, we, we have now we have this in France, but I think that everything is, you know, every drill is a competitive drill and you know, so everything is doing for win and it's something we don't have in, in France. So we have to teach, you know, how to our young players that, you know, to build a winning culture. And yeah, I, I, I was very surprised by, by that at this time. And yeah, it's, it's something I, I, I, I, I take with me and try to, yeah, to coach like so, like they are doing in the best league in the world.

[Interview Participant]

Yeah, eight years ago would have been a good time to be in Minnesota too. That was a really good team with the leagues that year.

[Rasheed Mezian]

Yeah, yeah. Maya Moore, she was playing at this time and yeah, it was a very good time. I appreciate it.

[Interview Participant]

So since you're, you know, very busy with French national team and your own head coaching, like how much have you had to learn about the WNBA since you've been hired? Like, what have you been doing to try to familiarize yourself with the league?

[Rasheed Mezian]

Think about the process. It's, it's a, it's not something that we can do, but it's every day. It's every day. So you have to, to. I didn't wait, you know, this, this opportunity to, to be, you know, WNBA coach. Since I start to, to coach, I, I am like this, I am this kind of coach. So I try to learn from everybody. So yeah, you know, professional level or not. Yeah. So yeah, I'm very curious. I like, you know, watch a lot of games and, but not only basketball games, but sometimes some would be games, some soccer games. But yeah, I think the best thing I learned is to, to care about people and not only about, you know, the players, but to care about people caring about people. You know, I think it's a good way to succeed.

[Zena Caida]

This is a big move, as you've mentioned. It's also a really exciting move. This is an opportunity to grow and do something more different than you've ever done in your career. When you think about Connecticut, what excites you the most to get going with this team?

[Rasheed Mezian]

I think that I am on the right place because we, we share the same values, you know, so because we are not in the big city. So the hard work, it's a value. The humility and that is something it's very important for me. And yeah, this franchise as a, has a strong story story. And yeah, since I think six years in a row, they qualify every time for the playoffs. So. Yeah, so I think it's a good balance for me. Yeah, so I feel myself at the, you know, best place that possible. So it makes me some, it made me comfortable. And yeah, this franchise has a lot of potential, for sure.

[Zena Caida]

Is Uncasville in Connecticut anything like Shavang of in France?

[Rasheed Mezian]

I come from Clermont Ferrand, so middle of France, close to Lyon. Yeah, it's the way I live now, but because I am in the dusk. But I, I come from Carmen Ferrand, so it's in the middle of France, so it's, you know, very rural. So it's like, it's like Unikesville. So yeah, we don't have a big casino like, like here. It's a very nice place. I didn't have a time because we have a lot of, you know, to do. But yeah, the place look like very calm and yeah, I think that for coach, it's, it's, it's, it's nice. I can appreciate that, you know, out of the court I can find some place or, you know, I can relax and I can disconnect. So. Yeah, but we will see. It's too early to, to say. I don't have too much to, to say, but yeah, my first perception, my first perceptions are very good.

[Interview Host]

You mentioned at the beginning, you know, some of the style of play that you hope to bring to Connecticut. So often I think Americans probably, generally, but American basketball, basketball fans too think like the world revolves around America and there isn't anything to be learned from the world and other cultures? I guess. What do you think the WNBA can learn from FIBA or from a coach with a lot of, you know, international coaching experience that you hope to bring to the league that, you know, so many people might overlook or, or just not apply.

[Rasheed Mezian]

Yeah, I, I, I don't think I can, you know, respond so saying some names. But yeah, I would like to have some, you know, players with a high basketball IQ who can fit my, my system. So play, play smart and yeah, try to, to, to reduce, you know, all the one against two and because we have a lot of, kind of a lot of action like this when I watch some W game, you know, who, players we can share, we can share the same goals. Yeah, but just players who can fit my system. I think that is, I, I don't, I don't care where they come from. Yeah, but this kind of player. Sorry if I didn't really understand your questions.

[Interview Host]

No, that. That's okay. Are there players, though? And I know you won't name names, but obviously this is a great moment for French basketball, you know, even before the Olympic result. Right? Someone like, you know, Leila Lacan, who the sun owned the rights to, or Carla Late, or Janelle Salouan or Dominique Malanga coming into the wnba, like, there is a ton of young, you know, potential and a club like Lyon, you know, is trying to develop a lot of European stars. I guess is the easiest way to say it. Like, do you plan on or hope to tap into, you know, those resources?

[Rasheed Mezian]

Yeah, I would like. I would like. My, My first goal is to build, you know, you know, a competitive team. And you. You mentioned a lot of good players. The only thing it's. It's not really the good time because so, because it's my first year and so I will have a lot of pressure on my shoulder. And the second thing, it's because there is a European championships in June. So it means that if we have, yeah, Europan players, they will miss maybe 10 games. So I, I'm not sure that I am able to, you know, to these situations. But yeah, we have more and more teams in the WNBA league, so it means that, yeah, we need, we need players. And yeah, we, we don't care where all the players come from. But yeah, we have good players in France for sure and. But Spain are also good players. Serbian has a good players, so you will see. But I will be, I will be happy to, you know, to meet and to have French players, not also in my team, but in the wnba. Yeah, it will be fun to meet them like this. I will speak French with them.

[Zena Caida]

Yeah, I think that would be very easy, especially out on the court. I'm curious with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese and just all of the stardom that you saw in American basketball last year and that continuing into the Olympics and seeing France go up against the American team and challenge them to the end, there was a big boom in the WNBA and women's basketball world that we felt here in America. What did it feel like for you in France? Did you feel a similar jump in women's basketball and maybe feel even more pressure to perform as a coach of us?

[Rasheed Mezian]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. We, we. We felt the same thing because. So with a Belgium national team, we played front of 25, 000 people, so person in the. So the crowd was amazing, the atmosphere was amazing. Yeah, I think that and it's not only because it was Olympic games. I think everything is growing around the women basketball. We have more game on TV and. Yeah. And people likes to come to, you know, and watch a basketball woman because the ball is moving and. Yeah, so we have a good, good. A good mix with, you know, the physics, physicality and play smart and. Yeah, so, yeah, pocket. So sorry, because I'm going.

[Zena Caida]

So. Yes. Coach Mezian said that the boom that happened in America definitely was felt in. In France and in Europe. He said that there's a trend overall towards more feminism, and it's not just in sports. It's a politics. It's in everything in society. Just putting women at the center of things is. Is definitely a trend that we're seeing on the rise. And he said that, you know, sports is right in the center of all of that, about people that are partners and fans and participants in sports. Women's sports is at the center of it all. So definitely seeing the growth overall there.

[Interview Host]

Do you feel you kind of talked about, I don't know if pressure is the right word, but just, you know, no. An awareness of, like, you are making some history coming to the wnba, considering your background. You know, so many French players that I've talked to say, like, you know, we are trying to inspire the next generation of players and show that, like, you can succeed in the wnba. So many. Someone like Maureen Johannes, for instance, like, you know, I remember talking to her and she has said, like, she didn't necessarily always think it was possible to play in the W. Right. And now others can dream that. Do you hope to open the door for other international coaches, French, Belgium, Spanish culture coaches to come to the wnba, or is that not really something on your mind as you begin this new job?

[Rasheed Mezian]

No, no, it's something important for me because like you say, if I open the door, I would like, you know, keep this door open. So if I want to keep this door open, I have to do a great job with, you know, with Connecticut. Yeah. So I will give my best for Connecticut, but also for all my French friends and French coaches. So. Yeah, no, yeah. So it means that it puts on my shoulder a little bit pressure, but the pressure. It's our job. It's our job. So we have to manage our pressure all the days. And. Yeah, it's a. It's something that. Yeah, I think that I can. I can manage. But, yeah, yeah, I would like, you know, see some French or European coaches. Yeah, I appreciate that I am the first one, but I hope that I I will not be the last one. I am here for compete. I am here for compete against the best coaches in the world. So, yeah, if these coaches are American or European or from China or from Africa. Yeah, yeah. More, more. They are better. More. I want, I want to see them front of me.

[Zena Caida]

Oh, wow.

[Rasheed Mezian]

Really?

[Zena Caida]

Coach Mezian, it's an honor to be speaking to you. Felicitation. Congratulations on everything and good luck. There's going to be a lot of eyes on all of the new coaches within the league and we just wish you the best of luck. Thank you for joining us on the Athletic women's basketball show.

[Rasheed Mezian]

Thank you. See you.

[Zena Caida]

I'm loving, loving the opportunity to talk to all these new coaches throughout the wnba. It'll be really exciting to see what all of these stars, you know, the similarities that they have from last year, but also the new differences in growth that they have under their new coaching regimes. So very excited to see all of that come together next year. But that will be all for today on on behalf of coach Rasheed Mezian. Ben Sabrina, I am Zena Ka and I'm thanking you for your ear, encouraging you to keep listening, keep watching, keep learning and keep loving the game because that's how we get international coaches to come into the wnba. That is the only way we're going to keep growing the game. Until next time.

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[Marc Maron]

Hey folks, it's Marc Maron from WTF. It's been more than 15 years now, and I'm still talking to all kinds of people in my garage every week. Sometimes it's Bill Burr, sometimes it's Ariana Grande. She just looks at me because she's always going like, dad, it's not that big a deal. Yeah. I go, sorry, I lost my temper. I go, I still love you. You know, Daddy has issues.

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Are you afraid of it?

[Marc Maron]

Of death?

[Rasheed Mezian]

Well, I don't.

[Marc Maron]

I think about it all the time.

[Zena Caida]

How are we here already?

[Marc Maron]

Listen to WTF with Marc Maron twice a week on your favorite podcast app. Or get more WTF with a WTF plus subscription. Just go to wtfpod.com and click on WTF.

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Acast helps creators launch, grow, and monetize their podcasts everywhere.

[Rasheed Mezian]

Acast.com.