The WNBA’s newest team just made its biggest decision

The Portland Fire — one of two WNBA expansion teams joining the league next season — have officially selected their new head coach, Alex Samara. Samara most recently served as an assistant coach and the director of player development for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Next, he’ll be leading the Fire, who are set to join the league in 2026 alongside the Toronto Tempo.

In the team’s official press release, Samara explained he’ll bring an unconventional approach to the organization.

“The opportunity to build something from the ground up is unique,” he said. “At the Fire, we’re not just creating a team – we’re redefining how the game is taught and played, through an approach centered around adaptability and supported by evidence-informed methodologies. We want to create a new standard for the game.”

Before his tenure with the Cavs, Samara held coaching and player development roles with several organizations, including the London Lions, Paris Basketball, the Rip City Remix, and NBA EMEA. He is also the founder of Transforming Basketball, a global movement reshaping how coaches teach and players learn. Samara, an English native, has delivered clinics in more than 40 countries and consulted for numerous international federations and organizations.

General manager Vanja Černivec praised the hiring.

“Alex represents the next generation of coaching,” said Černivec. “He’s not just teaching the game, he’s transforming it. His approach to player development, grounded in evidence-based science, research, and creativity, aligns with our vision to make Portland a global hub for innovation in women’s sports.”

Four WNBA teams are still in the process of selecting a new head coach — the Seattle Storm, the New York Liberty, the Toronto Tempo, and the Dallas Wings.

Whether the league will continue to bring over coaches with NBA experience remains to be seen, but Sarama is the latest in a now-growing trend. Just two years ago, Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Thibbets also came to the WNBA directly from the NBA.

In addition to potential NBA prospects, several WNBA assistants could be in the mix for a head coach position, including current Indiana Fever assistant Brianna January, Phoenix Mercury assistant Kristi Toliver, and Liberty assistant Sonia Raman, among others. Recently-fired Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello could also be in the mix.

The Athletic’s Ben Pickman reported that the Tempo are “believed to be centering its search on Brondello,” while the Storm have eyed January, Brondello, and Raman, among others.