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WNBA Minnesota Lynx

Katie Smith Promoted to Lynx Associate Head Coach

January 12, 2022 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Minnesota Lynx News Release


MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Lynx today announced that Katie Smith has been promoted to Associate Head Coach of the franchise. Smith will continue working alongside assistant coaches Plenette Pierson and Rebekkah Brunson who will also return to Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve's staff for the 2022 season.

"It was an easy decision to promote Katie into the role of associate head coach," said Reeve. "She is an extremely talented coach who has garnered the trust and admiration of players and staff alike. Katie has played an important part in our success over the last two seasons and we look forward to the years ahead in her new role."

Smith joined Minnesota's coaching staff in 2020 and has helped lead the Lynx to two postseason appearances, securing a top-four seed both years, and a 36-18 record. As associate head coach, Smith will expand her role in the team's scouting efforts, talent evaluation, in-game analysis and decision-making, and player development.

"It is an honor to be promoted within the Lynx organization," said Smith. "I am grateful for the opportunity to continue working with an unbelievable staff and organization as well as the best players and people. I look forward to this upcoming season and am excited for us to be back."

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer is entering her ninth season of coaching, having spent two years as the head coach for New York Liberty in 2018 and 2019 prior to joining Minnesota. Before taking over head coaching duties in New York, Smith had been an assistant for the Liberty since retiring from the WNBA in 2013 and was elevated to associate head coach prior to the 2016 season.

A two-time WNBA champion with Detroit, where she played under then-Shock-assistant Reeve, Smith played in 482 regular season games across five different teams (Minnesota, Detroit, Washington, Seattle, New York). At the time of her retirement, the 15-year veteran ranked second on the WNBA all-time points leaderboard with 6,452 career points (currently eighth). Smith was a seven-time All-Star (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009) and earned Finals MVP honors in 2008.

Smith was a decorated member of the United States Women's National Team, earning gold at three straight Olympics (2000, 2004, 2008) and gold at the 1998 and 2002 FIBA World Championships for women.

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