The Seattle Storm have found their new head coach ahead of the 2026 season, an independent source has confirmed.
New York Liberty assistant Sonia Raman has agreed to a multiyear deal to become the Storm’s new head coach, according to a source.
Raman spent 2020-24 as an assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies and last season with the Liberty.
According to ESPN, “Raman makes WNBA history as the first person of Indian descent to be head coach after being the first Indian American woman to be an NBA assistant.”
The Storm fired head coach Noelle Quinn in late September, three days after losing to the eventual champion Las Vegas Aces in the opening round of the WNBA playoffs.
Quinn’s association with the Storm began as a player in 2013, continuing until 2018, during which she was part of the 2018 WNBA championship team. After retiring as a player, she transitioned to an assistant coach role in 2019, advanced to associate head coach in 2020, and was named head coach in 2021.
Under her leadership, the Storm achieved four postseason appearances, and she holds the record for the second-most wins in the franchise’s history.
Raman’s hiring represents significant diversity milestone as the first person of Indian descent to serve as WNBA head coach, reflecting the league’s expanding global reach and efforts to diversify leadership positions historically dominated by former players.
The five years Raman spent with the Memphis Grizzlies (2020-24) provided NBA coaching experience that distinguishes her from typical WNBA head coach candidates who often rise through WNBA assistant ranks without exposure to NBA systems and resources.
The New York Liberty’s 2025 championship run with Raman on staff enhances her credentials, though assistant coaches face questions about how much credit they deserve for team success compared to head coaches and star players.
The multiyear deal structure provides Raman job security beyond a single season, allowing her to implement systems and develop player relationships without immediate pressure for playoff success in her first year.
Noelle Quinn’s firing three days after the playoff loss to Las Vegas suggests Storm ownership made the decision quickly rather than conducting lengthy season reviews, indicating dissatisfaction with coaching performance despite Quinn’s overall winning record.
Quinn’s four postseason appearances in four years as head coach represents solid performance, though first-round exits in recent seasons apparently failed to meet ownership expectations for a franchise that won four championships between 2004 and 2020.
The Storm’s decision to hire from outside the organization rather than promoting from within breaks with Quinn’s own pathway from player to assistant to head coach, signaling a desire for fresh perspectives rather than continuity.
Raman’s lack of WNBA playing experience distinguishes her from most WNBA head coaches who typically played professionally and leverage relationships with current players built through shared experiences in the league.
The 2026 season timing gives Raman substantial lead time to evaluate the roster, participate in potential trades or free agency decisions, and establish her coaching philosophy before training camp begins.
Seattle’s passionate WNBA fanbase and Climate Pledge Arena’s state-of-the-art facilities provide Raman with strong organizational support and resources that make the Storm job attractive compared to some WNBA franchises with less robust infrastructure.
