Michael Voepel, a senior writer with ESPN.com, has been covering women's basketball since 1984 and has been with ESPN since 1996. In a significant development, Rachid Meziane, a renowned coach with extensive experience in France and leading the Belgian national team, has been appointed as the new coach of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun. This announcement came on Wednesday, following the naming of Morgan Tuck as the new general manager. Darius Taylor has moved on to become the team's chief basketball strategist and director of scouting.

Meziane's Coaching Background

Meziane, a native of Clermont-Ferrand, France, has been at the helm of the French women's basketball club, Villeneuve d'Ascq, since 2019. During this time, the team achieved remarkable success, winning the Ligue Féminine de Basketball (LFB) championship and reaching the EuroLeague runner-up position in the 2023-24 season. His coaching skills and leadership have been widely recognized.He has also coached the Belgium national team since November 2022 and led it to the FIBA European women's championship (EuroBasket) gold medal in 2023. Prior to that, he served as an assistant coach to the French women's national team, which won a bronze medal in the 2020 Olympics.

Sun's Expectations and Meziane's Vision

Tuck, the new general manager, expressed her confidence in Meziane, stating, "He brings a wealth of experience, passion, and a proven track record of success that will help elevate our players and team as a whole. Rachid's dedication and commitment to growing women's basketball, internationally and domestically, brings a unique perspective both on and off the court that aligns with the values and vision of our organization."Meziane himself is honored to represent the Connecticut Sun, a team with a rich history and a passionate fan base. He said, "I look forward to working with our talented roster and assembling a dedicated coaching staff, as we continue to build upon the Sun's legacy and strive for a championship."

Roster Turnover and the Future

The Connecticut Sun have not won a WNBA title but have made significant appearances in the WNBA Finals four times. In the past season, they were 28-12 but lost 3-2 to Minnesota in the semifinals. Currently, they have just three players under contract for the 2025 season, with stars Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, and Brionna Jones as unrestricted free agents. This presents both challenges and opportunities for the team as they look to build a competitive roster for the future.President Jen Rizzotti emphasized Meziane's qualities, saying, "I've witnessed firsthand his exceptional basketball IQ and his ability to prepare his teams to compete at the highest level in any situation. As we looked for a key differentiator to elevate Connecticut's success and cultivate a championship mindset for the future, Rachid's extensive experience and passion for the game stood out."There are still two head-coach openings in the WNBA for 2025, in Dallas and in Washington. The Mystics also have not named a new general manager, adding to the evolving landscape of the league.