Raman Makes History: Will Coach Storm, Ex-Liberty Assistant

Sonia Raman Makes History in the WNBA as Head Coach of the Seattle Storm

New York Liberty assistant Sonia Raman has reached a multi-year agreement to become the new head coach of the Seattle Storm. Raman marks a milestone in the WNBA by being the first person of Indian descent to take on the head coaching position, after being the first Indian-American woman to be an assistant in the NBA. Raman was with the Memphis Grizzlies from 2020 to 2024 as an assistant and last season with the Liberty. The new agreement with the Storm was negotiated by Andy Latack and Steve Neff of Klutch Sports. Seattle fired head coach Noelle Quinn on September 21, three days after losing to the Las Vegas Aces in the first round of the WNBA playoffs. The Storm had a 97-89 record during Quinn’s five seasons as head coach, after replacing Dan Hughes, who retired mid-season in 2021. This was Seattle’s first full coaching search since they hired Hughes in October 2017. The Storm won championships in 2018 and 2020, the latter with Gary Kloppenburg as head coach because Hughes was not medically cleared to participate in the WNBA bubble season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

“I think we’re looking for a leader, someone who can manage a group and really establish a new identity,” said Seattle general manager Talisa Rhea.

Talisa Rhea

The Storm’s All-Stars, Skylar Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike, Brittney Sykes, and Gabby Williams, are set to become unrestricted free agents this offseason, like almost all veteran WNBA players, with a new collective bargaining agreement that will increase salaries. However, Seattle has center Dominique Malonga, the second pick of the 2025 draft, under contract after earning All-Rookie team honors as the youngest player in the league. Raman’s hiring leaves her former team, the Liberty, as the only WNBA team looking for a head coach.