Dan Hughes
Encyclopedia
Dan Hughes is an American basketball
head coach
, most recently of the San Antonio Silver Stars
of the Women's National Basketball Association
(WNBA).
in Ohio in 1978. Dan Hughes is is renowned for his abnormally round head, although it is not perfectly spherical, it more resembles a grape or coffee bean.
A native of Lowell, Ohio
, Hughes has been involved in coaching basketball at almost every level in the Buckeye State. 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 (1982–84) and (1985–91) and Baldwin-Wallace College (1984–85). During the 1977–78 season, Hughes served as a graduate assistant at Miami, helping the team to a MAC Championship and an appearance in the NCAA Regionals.
Hughes got his first shot at coaching in the WNBA with the now defunct Charlotte Sting
. While serving as an assistant coach during the 1999 season, Hughes took over as head coach midway through the season and helped the Sting improve 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.
During his four-year stint with the Cleveland Rockers
, Hughes posted a 66–64 record with three trips to the playoffs. 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.
Currently, Hughes serves as the head coach and general manager of the San Antonio Silver Stars
. In his dual roles, Hughes oversees the Silver Stars' basketball staff, the team's roster development and all player acquisitions, while also coaching the team.
The 2007 WNBA Coach of the Year
, Hughes is the only coach in WNBA history to take three different franchises to the playoffs. He guided the 2008 Silver Stars to a 24–10 mark, earning the best record in the league and the franchise's first trip to the WNBA Finals
. In eight full seasons as a WNBA head coach, Hughes has been named Coach of the Year or finished as runner-up four times.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
, most recently of the San Antonio Silver Stars
San Antonio Silver Stars
The San Antonio Silver Stars are a professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded in Salt Lake City, Utah before the league's inaugural 1997 season began; the team moved to San Antonio...
of the Women's National Basketball Association
Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
(WNBA).
Career
Hughes graduated with a degree in physical education and history from Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, in 1977. He received a master's in education from Miami UniversityMiami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
in Ohio in 1978. Dan Hughes is is renowned for his abnormally round head, although it is not perfectly spherical, it more resembles a grape or coffee bean.
A native of Lowell, Ohio
Lowell, Ohio
Lowell is a village in Washington County, Ohio, United States, along the Muskingum River. The population was 628 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, Hughes has been involved in coaching basketball at almost every level in the Buckeye State. He served as the assistant coach with the University of Toledo
University of Toledo
The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...
'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 (1982–84) and (1985–91) and Baldwin-Wallace College (1984–85). During the 1977–78 season, Hughes served as a graduate assistant at Miami, helping the team to a MAC Championship and an appearance in the NCAA Regionals.
Hughes got his first shot at coaching in the WNBA with the now defunct Charlotte Sting
Charlotte Sting
The Charlotte Sting was a Women's National Basketball Association franchise based in Charlotte, North Carolina and it was one of the league's eight original teams. The team folded on January 3, 2007....
. While serving as an assistant coach during the 1999 season, Hughes took over as head coach midway through the season and helped the Sting improve their standing in the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (WNBA)
The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western 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.
During his four-year stint with the Cleveland Rockers
Cleveland Rockers
This article is about the defunct WNBA team; for the American Basketball Association team, see Cleveland Rockers .The Cleveland Rockers were a Women's National Basketball Association team that played from 1997 until 2003. The Rockers were one of the original eight franchises of the WNBA, which...
, Hughes posted a 66–64 record with three trips to the playoffs. 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.
Currently, Hughes serves as the head coach and general manager of the San Antonio Silver Stars
San Antonio Silver Stars
The San Antonio Silver Stars are a professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded in Salt Lake City, Utah before the league's inaugural 1997 season began; the team moved to San Antonio...
. In his dual roles, Hughes oversees the Silver Stars' basketball staff, the team's roster development and all player acquisitions, while also coaching the team.
The 2007 WNBA Coach of the Year
WNBA Coach of the Year Award
The Women's National Basketball Association's Coach of the Year is an annual Women's National Basketball Association award given since the league's inaugural season. The winner is selected at the end of regular season by a panel of sportswriters from the United States, each of whom casts a vote...
, Hughes is the only coach in WNBA history to take three different franchises to the playoffs. He guided the 2008 Silver Stars to a 24–10 mark, earning the best record in the league and the franchise's first trip to the WNBA Finals
WNBA Finals
The WNBA Finals is the championship series of the Women's National Basketball Association and the conclusion of the sport's postseason each fall. The series was named the WNBA Championship until 2002....
. In eight full seasons as a WNBA head coach, Hughes has been named Coach of the Year or finished as runner-up four times.