The Dallas Wings have announced the firing of their head coach, Fred Williams, after he reportedly had an altercation with Wings’ president and CEO Greg Bibb.
Following the Wings’ loss to the Washington Mystics – their eighth loss in a row – Williams and Bibb got into an argument outside of the Wings’ locker room and eventually had to be restrained by security in the arena. Williams, who had been the Wings’ head coach for the past four years, told reporters that the incident was typical of teams during a losing streak but was fired a few hours later.
“Following today’s game, I made the decision to change direction in regards to our head coaching position,” Bibb said in a statement announcing Williams’ firing. “I felt this move was necessary. The season has not met our expectations…I wish Fred [Williams] the best moving forward.”
The Wings have fallen far from the success they have seen throughout the season. Just a month ago, Wings center Liz Cambage set a WNBA record for the most points in a single game but the team has not won a game since.
Prior to their eight-game losing streak, the Wings were 14-9 and sitting solidly in a playoffs spot. Now 14-17, the Wings are just one game ahead of the Las Vegas Aces and fighting for the final spot in the playoffs. Both teams have three games remaining and if the Wings lose any of their final games, they could be out of playoff contention.
If the Wings are able to hang on to their position, they will be coached by Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who Bibb named as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. In his statement, Bibb said that he has the “utmost confidence” in McWilliams-Franklin’s ability to coach the team deep into the playoffs.
Featured Image via: Flickr/Lorie Shaull
