Sports Historian: 'The Time Is Now' For A Female NBA Head Coach

By Steve Goldstein
Published: Tuesday, June 29, 2021 - 12:12pm

Audio icon Download mp3 (10.39 MB)

A head coaching position in the NBA is highly-coveted, with only 30 teams in the league. To this point, the NBA hasn’t had a woman hired to be a head coach, but this offseason may see that change.

Former WNBA stars Becky Hammon and Dawn Staley were interviewed by the Portland Trailblazers, with Hammon reportedly reaching the finalist stage before turning out to be one of the runners-up. Teresa Weatherspoon and Kara Lawson have also been connected to head coaching openings.

The Show spoke with ASU sports historian Victoria Jackson to learn more about why the tide may be shifting and about the importance of a woman becoming a head coach in one of the major men’s professional sports.

Jen Welter
Kristy Westgard/KJZZ
Bruce Arians (right) and Jen Welter at a press conference on July 28, 2015. Welter was the first woman to coach in the NFL.

More Stories From KJZZ

BusinessThe Show Gender