Solid D
01-04-2005, 03:37 PM
http://www.wnba.com/silverstars/news/hughes_050104.html
http://www.wnba.com/media/silverstars/hughes_170_050104.jpg
January 4, 2005
Dan Hughes Set To Lead The Silver Stars
Chat With New Silver Stars Head Coach Dan Hughes
San Antonio Silver Stars Chief Operating Officer Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil has announced that Dan Hughes has been named the team’s new head coach. Hughes signed a multi-year deal, per team policy terms of the agreement have not been announced.
Hughes has spent the past year serving as the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Assistant Commissioner for Men’s Basketball Operations. Prior to joining the MAC’s athletic office, he served as the head coach of the Cleveland Rockers from 2000-03 before the team ceased operations in the fall of 2003. “We can’t tell you how excited we are to have Dan Hughes leading our team into the 2005 season,” said Davis-Wrightsil. Dan is a proven winner in the WNBA and has a wealth of experience in turning sub-par teams into playoff caliber teams as he did with the Rockers. Bringing teams together, teaching and instilling confidence and discipline are Dan’s strengths.”
Hughes was named head coach of the Rockers on April 5, 2000, and posted a 66-64 record with three trips to the playoffs in four seasons with Cleveland. His overall record with the Rockers made him the winningest coach in franchise history. In his first season in Cleveland, Hughes directed the team’s resurgence from a 7-25 season in 1999 to a 17-15 finish in 2000 and was voted WNBA Coach of the Year runner-up. The following year Hughes was named 2001 WNBA Coach of the Year after leading the Rockers to a 22-10 record and to their second straight playoff appearance. The 2001 Rockers were one of the best defensive teams ever, posting defensive statistics that still rank amongst the best in the WNBA record books. Cleveland led the league in three defensive categories during the 2001 season, including opponents’ points per game (55.9 ppg, first in league history), opponents’ field goal percentage (.381, second in league history) and opponents’ total rebounds (27.84 rpg). The Rockers finished second in point differential (+6.8 ppg) and opponents’ defensive rebounds (18.56 drpg). Hughes’ Rockers kept 11 teams to 50 points or less, three teams to under 40 points and five teams to their franchise low, including a WNBA record 34 points vs. Washington on May 31, 2001.
During his four-year stint with the Rockers, Hughes orchestrated some key transactions. His first big move was signing 19-year-old Ann Wauters of Belgium with the No. 1 pick in the 2000 WNBA Draft. Wauters ended up averaging 8.9 points and 4.6 rebounds in her three years with the Rockers. In 2001, Hughes added Penny Taylor to the Cleveland roster and in her second year with the team she earned All-Star honors and led the team in scoring and rebounding. The Rockers received the first pick in the 2003 WNAB Draft and Hughes selected current Silver Stars LaToya Thomas from Mississippi State University. Thomas broke the Rockers single-season rookie rebounding record with 164 total rebounds and she took over the number two spot for single season rookie scoring with 347 points.
“First and foremost I want everyone to know how ecstatic I am to have the opportunity to work with such a quality organization in a quality city,” Hughes said. “I know we have a lot of work ahead of us, but I believe with a group of dedicated players and staff we can turn the Silver Stars into a playoff caliber team. I’ve been in this situation before and I’m anxious to get back on the bench and start working towards bringing the fun and excitement of the WNBA back to San Antonio.”
Hughes took over as the head coach of the Charlotte Sting on July 11, 1999. Under Hughes’ direction, the Sting improved their standing in the Eastern Conference from fourth to second place, posting a 10-10 record. He led the team to its third consecutive playoff appearance and its first ever playoff series victory. In addition to his coaching responsibilities in Charlotte, Hughes was also a scout for the Charlotte Hornets during the WNBA’s offseason.
A native of Lowell, Ohio, Hughes has been involved in coaching basketball at almost every level in the Buckeye State. Prior to joining the Sting, he served as the assistant coach with the University of Toledo’s women’s basketball program (1996-97) and men’s basketball program (1991-96). During his tenure with the Rockets’ women’s team, they posted a 27-4 record, winning the MAC Championship, and made an NCAA Tournament appearance. He also served assistant coaching stints with the men’s teams at Mount Union College (1985-91) and (1982-84) and Baldwin-Wallace College (1984-85). During the 1977-78 season, Hughes served as a graduate assistant at Miami of Ohio, helping the team to a MAC Championship and an appearance in the NCAA Regionals.
“We believe Dan is a perfect fit for our organization and our community,” Davis-Wrightsil added. “We wanted a coach who could lead the team on and off the court while also making a positive contribution to the community. Dan is a firm believer that his players character off the court is just as important as their skills on the court. The city will appreciate his work ethic, his desire to build a championship team and his genuine concern for his players.”
Hughes graduated with a degree in physical education and history from Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, in 1977. He received a Masters in education from Miami in 1978.
Hughes and his wife, Mary, have two children, Sara and Bryce.
CAREER COACHING
REGULAR SEASON POST SEASON
YEAR TEAM WINS LOSSES PCT WINS LOSSES PCT
1999 Charlotte 10 10 .500 2 2 .500
2000 Cleveland 17 15 .531 3 3 .500
2001 Cleveland 22 10 .688 1 2 .333
2002 Cleveland 10 22 .313 0 0 .000
2003 Cleveland 17 17 .500 1 2 .333
TOTALS 76 74 .507 7 9 .438
http://www.wnba.com/media/silverstars/hughes_170_050104.jpg
January 4, 2005
Dan Hughes Set To Lead The Silver Stars
Chat With New Silver Stars Head Coach Dan Hughes
San Antonio Silver Stars Chief Operating Officer Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil has announced that Dan Hughes has been named the team’s new head coach. Hughes signed a multi-year deal, per team policy terms of the agreement have not been announced.
Hughes has spent the past year serving as the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Assistant Commissioner for Men’s Basketball Operations. Prior to joining the MAC’s athletic office, he served as the head coach of the Cleveland Rockers from 2000-03 before the team ceased operations in the fall of 2003. “We can’t tell you how excited we are to have Dan Hughes leading our team into the 2005 season,” said Davis-Wrightsil. Dan is a proven winner in the WNBA and has a wealth of experience in turning sub-par teams into playoff caliber teams as he did with the Rockers. Bringing teams together, teaching and instilling confidence and discipline are Dan’s strengths.”
Hughes was named head coach of the Rockers on April 5, 2000, and posted a 66-64 record with three trips to the playoffs in four seasons with Cleveland. His overall record with the Rockers made him the winningest coach in franchise history. In his first season in Cleveland, Hughes directed the team’s resurgence from a 7-25 season in 1999 to a 17-15 finish in 2000 and was voted WNBA Coach of the Year runner-up. The following year Hughes was named 2001 WNBA Coach of the Year after leading the Rockers to a 22-10 record and to their second straight playoff appearance. The 2001 Rockers were one of the best defensive teams ever, posting defensive statistics that still rank amongst the best in the WNBA record books. Cleveland led the league in three defensive categories during the 2001 season, including opponents’ points per game (55.9 ppg, first in league history), opponents’ field goal percentage (.381, second in league history) and opponents’ total rebounds (27.84 rpg). The Rockers finished second in point differential (+6.8 ppg) and opponents’ defensive rebounds (18.56 drpg). Hughes’ Rockers kept 11 teams to 50 points or less, three teams to under 40 points and five teams to their franchise low, including a WNBA record 34 points vs. Washington on May 31, 2001.
During his four-year stint with the Rockers, Hughes orchestrated some key transactions. His first big move was signing 19-year-old Ann Wauters of Belgium with the No. 1 pick in the 2000 WNBA Draft. Wauters ended up averaging 8.9 points and 4.6 rebounds in her three years with the Rockers. In 2001, Hughes added Penny Taylor to the Cleveland roster and in her second year with the team she earned All-Star honors and led the team in scoring and rebounding. The Rockers received the first pick in the 2003 WNAB Draft and Hughes selected current Silver Stars LaToya Thomas from Mississippi State University. Thomas broke the Rockers single-season rookie rebounding record with 164 total rebounds and she took over the number two spot for single season rookie scoring with 347 points.
“First and foremost I want everyone to know how ecstatic I am to have the opportunity to work with such a quality organization in a quality city,” Hughes said. “I know we have a lot of work ahead of us, but I believe with a group of dedicated players and staff we can turn the Silver Stars into a playoff caliber team. I’ve been in this situation before and I’m anxious to get back on the bench and start working towards bringing the fun and excitement of the WNBA back to San Antonio.”
Hughes took over as the head coach of the Charlotte Sting on July 11, 1999. Under Hughes’ direction, the Sting improved their standing in the Eastern Conference from fourth to second place, posting a 10-10 record. He led the team to its third consecutive playoff appearance and its first ever playoff series victory. In addition to his coaching responsibilities in Charlotte, Hughes was also a scout for the Charlotte Hornets during the WNBA’s offseason.
A native of Lowell, Ohio, Hughes has been involved in coaching basketball at almost every level in the Buckeye State. Prior to joining the Sting, he served as the assistant coach with the University of Toledo’s women’s basketball program (1996-97) and men’s basketball program (1991-96). During his tenure with the Rockets’ women’s team, they posted a 27-4 record, winning the MAC Championship, and made an NCAA Tournament appearance. He also served assistant coaching stints with the men’s teams at Mount Union College (1985-91) and (1982-84) and Baldwin-Wallace College (1984-85). During the 1977-78 season, Hughes served as a graduate assistant at Miami of Ohio, helping the team to a MAC Championship and an appearance in the NCAA Regionals.
“We believe Dan is a perfect fit for our organization and our community,” Davis-Wrightsil added. “We wanted a coach who could lead the team on and off the court while also making a positive contribution to the community. Dan is a firm believer that his players character off the court is just as important as their skills on the court. The city will appreciate his work ethic, his desire to build a championship team and his genuine concern for his players.”
Hughes graduated with a degree in physical education and history from Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, in 1977. He received a Masters in education from Miami in 1978.
Hughes and his wife, Mary, have two children, Sara and Bryce.
CAREER COACHING
REGULAR SEASON POST SEASON
YEAR TEAM WINS LOSSES PCT WINS LOSSES PCT
1999 Charlotte 10 10 .500 2 2 .500
2000 Cleveland 17 15 .531 3 3 .500
2001 Cleveland 22 10 .688 1 2 .333
2002 Cleveland 10 22 .313 0 0 .000
2003 Cleveland 17 17 .500 1 2 .333
TOTALS 76 74 .507 7 9 .438