Heartbreaking news: The Pheonix Mercury head coach, Nate Tibbetts, has been suspended after she proved that all womens should…
When Nate Tibbetts was formally introduced as the new head coach of the Phoenix Mercury on Friday, he looked tearful.
His days as a coach’s kid, when his late father, Fred, spent decades as a well-respected women’s and girl’s basketball coach in South Dakota, are brought back to him by his role as head coach and his coaching of women.
“My dad was putting me to work growing up in girls’ practices and women’s college practices, working girls’ camp since I was seven years old,” Tibbetts remarked. “I just see it as a fantastic opportunity to advance to head coach and keep learning.”
Tibbetts is not the only hire the Mercury has made that lacks coaching expertise in the women’s game; most recently, she was an assistant with the NBA’s Orlando Magic. From 2005 until 2007, Paul Westhead was the last. In 2007, Westhead guided Diana Taurasi and the Mercury team to victory.
Taurasi attended Tibbetts’ news appearance on Friday and openly expressed her support for him.
Further: The Phoenix Mercury appoints a head coach without WNBA background. However, he is a “Girl Dad.”
Tibbetts is aware that gaining additional knowledge about the WNBA and its playing style will be difficult. He does intend to employ the fast-paced, 3-point shooting, rim-protecting, and floor-spacing styles he is familiar with from the NBA.
He added that coaching women’s basketball at the top level would make his father proud.
This is a fantastic opportunity to train some of the best players who have ever played this game, Tibbetts explained, “because of the way I was raised and what I’ve seen and been around.”
“Practicing with him over the years and observing his approach to player management will greatly influence my approach to player management here,” he continued. It’s difficult; I do occasionally become emotional when discussing him. I had a lot of admiration for him. I am aware of his beaming down.
Handling the first dispute
Regarding the hiring, the Mercury have drawn some criticism. In addition to lacking head coaching expertise and no prior experience coaching women’s basketball, Tibbetts will be the highest-paid coach in WNBA history. At over $1 million per season, Becky Hammon of the Aces is now the highest-paid coach in the league.
Owner Mat Ishbia received accolades earlier this month for his pledge to spend over $100 million on a cutting-edge training complex for the Mercury that will maintain parity with the Suns.
Attending the news announcement on Friday, General Manager Nick U’Ren stated, “Nate’s hiring and Mat’s investment in this position is a reflection of how we intend to conduct business here with the Phoenix Mercury.” “We want to dive into the infrastructure we’ve built around our players and treat them like the professionals that they are.” I could go on forever about the things we’ve invested in, like our head coach, the practice facility we’re developing, the amenities we offer, and the hotels we stay in. We wish to draw in talent and hope that news gets out.
