GENERAL INFORMATION
This is a list of all the head and assistant coaches from the 1998 WNBA Season. This was the second season of the Women’s National Basketball Association.
Notable Changes in the League
- The league expanded to 10 teams, adding the Detroit Shock and the Washington Mystics to the Eastern Conference while the Houston Comets moved into the Western Conference.
- The regular season was expanded from 28 to 30 games.
Mid-Season Coaching Changes
- Los Angeles Sparks Head Coach Julie Rousseau was fired on July 16 with a 7–13 record and Orlando Woolridge became the interim, finishing with a 5–5 coaching record and 12-18 team record.
- Washington Mystics Head Coach Jim Lewis was fired on July 24 with a 2-16 record and assistant coach Cathy Parson became the interim, finishing with a 1-11 record and a 3-27 team record.
- Utah Starrz Head Coach Denise Taylor was fired on July 27 with a 6–13 record and former Utah Jazz Head Coach and General Manager Frank Layden was named the head coach who finished with a 2–9 coaching record and an 8-22 team record.
Awards
- 🏆 Coach of the Year: Van Chancellor (Houston Comets)
- 🏆 WNBA Champions: Houston Comets
- Assistant Coaching Staff: Alisa Scott
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Washington Mystics
Head Coach
Jim Lewis (fired; 2–16 record)
Cathy Parson (1–11 record)
Assistant Coaches
- Cathy Parson
- Wes Unseld Jr.
New York Liberty
Head Coach
Nancy Darsch
Assistant Coaches
- Melissa McFerrin
- Pat Coyle
Cleveland Rockers
Head Coach
Linda Hill-MacDonald
Assistant Coaches
- Mike Wilhelm
Detroit Shock
Head Coach
Nancy Lieberman-Cline
Assistant Coaches
- Greg Williams
Charlotte Sting
Head Coach
Marynell Meadors
Assistant Coaches
- Dan Hughes
- Karen Freeman
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Houston Comets
Head Coach
Van Chancellor
Assistant Coaches
- Alisa Scott
Phoenix Mercury
Head Coach
Cheryl Miller
Assistant Coaches
- Carrie Graf
- Steve Smith
Sacramento Monarchs
Head Coach
Heidi VanDerveer
Assistant Coaches
- Jill Jackson
- Yvette Angel
- Drew Peterson
Los Angeles Sparks
Head Coach
Julie Rousseau (fired; 7–13 record)
Orlando Woolridge (5–5 record)
Utah Starrz
Head Coach
Denise Taylor (fired; 6–13 record)
Frank Layden (2–9 record)
Assistant Coaches
- Fred Williams
