The Seattle Storm has one of the best-looking rosters in this year’s WNBA championships. With the inclusion of talents such as Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith, the 4x WNBA champions can stake their claim at the 2024 edition. Moreover, many expect the energy within the locker room to be magnificent with the advent of fresh faces like Nika Muhl. Speaking of energy within the locker room, that’s something that their head coach Noelle Quinn is well acquainted with.

Just a year after winning the 2018 WNBA championship as a player, the 6 ft point guard decided it was time to extend her services as a coach. However, she had built quite a resume for herself before hanging her boots. 

How was Noelle Quinn on the hardwood?

Having had the privilege to play alongside the likes of Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart, Quinn herself stacked quite some numbers. It all started when she started to develop her basketball skills in high school. Her impeccable performances for the Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance made her the WBCA All-American. In addition to this, she was instrumental in the Lady Knights lifting 4 California state championships along with 3 regional championships, as well as division championships. Consequently, the school decided to make her the first player in their history to have her jersey retired.

Then, she took her skills to UCLA. After witnessing her four-year record which included her being one of the finalists for the Wade Trophy as the National Player of the Year, the Minnesota Lynx selected Quinn 4th overall in the 2007 WNBA draft. However, for the next few years, she tried to fit in a number of franchises in Los Angeles, Washington, and Phoenix. This continued until 2016 when she returned back to the Storm after spending a season with the Phoenix Mercury. Here, after being a part of an elite locker room, she finally went on to win the championship in 2018. Moreover, before announcing her retirement, she registered 1,011 rebounds, 878 assists, and 256 steals to go with 1824 career points next to her name.

At this time, the Storm management recognized her as more than just a player. They handed her the assistant coaching responsibilities.

Quinn’s contributions as a coach

After learning under Dan Hughes for a year, the 39-year-old stepped up in his absence when she was promoted to associate head coach. Her constant focus on improving the offensive play of the team resulted in the team becoming the 2020 WNBA champions. Following this, the Storm ownership group and management entrusted in her coaching skills and announced her head coach in 2021. In her inaugural season at the helm, the 12-year WNBA veteran architected an impressive 21-11 record and made the way for Seattle to feature in the playoffs. A second-round loss on their home ended their title hopes then. 

The Storm elevated their brand of basketball next year which brought her a 22-14 win-loss record. Consequently, this tied Seattle at the fourth spot and opened the gates of the semi-finals for them. Sadly, in the best-of-five series, the Las Vegas Aces knocked them out in the fourth game. Things got rough for her and the team in the subsequent campaign. Not only did the franchise register the most losses in their history, but a dismal 11-29 ratio placed them just above Phoenix in the points table. 

Still, the management chose to stick with the competitive passion and basketball IQ she brings to the table. Hence, they offered an extension to her contract in 2023.

Noelle is trusted to bring the championships home

Despite a disastrous season, general manager Talisa Rhea still believes in Quinn’s abilities to coach the franchise to great heights. A multiyear contract extension was provided to her last year. Speaking more about this settlement, Quinn reflected that time, “One key to great organizations is motivated people that are committed to excellence. This is what the Seattle Storm embodies and I am grateful to be a part of it. I’d also like to thank our supportive, passionate, and dedicated fans. I’m so thrilled for what’s to come!” Further, Quinn was also granted $562,000 to strengthen the roster by recruiting a few free agents. Previously, Noelle also re-signed the 2023 WNBA scoring leader Jewell Loyd for two years via a contract worth $463,030.

Hardly anyone would doubt Noelle Quinn’s aptitude as a coach. Her expertise and experience in this field speak volumes of what she is capable of achieving in the Seattle Storm. She has given a glimpse of that in the 2022 season with the team’s tremendous run to the semi-finals. Perhaps this is the reason behind the ownership’s utmost faith in her. We will have to wait and see what the future holds for her and the Storm in the upcoming season.