The Minnesota Lynx will hire former New York Liberty Head Coach Katie Smith as an assistant coach, multiple league sources have told Winsidr. Smith joins the staff after former Lynx assistant coach Walt Hopkins took over her role with the Liberty earlier this week.
After a 17-year career in professional basketball, Smith joined the New York Liberty staff as an assistant coach in 2014. She became the head coach in 2018. The Liberty did not renew her contract after the team went 10-24 in the 2019 season.
Smith went 17-51 in her tenure as head coach, missing the playoffs in her only two seasons. The Liberty battled injuries and went through a rebuild during Smith’s time there.
Smith is a WNBA legend. She played for 4 teams over her career, including 6 years with the Lynx from 1999-2006. She was named one of the WNBA’s top 15 players of All Time in 2011 and made the WNBA’s All-Decade Team in 2006. She won two championships with the Detroit Shock (2006 and 2008) and won the 2008 Finals MVP. She made the All-Star Game 7 times, the All-WNBA team twice, and won the scoring title in 2001.
The hire of Katie Smith completes Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve’s goal of a completely female coaching staff. It’s great to see the legend stay in the W.
