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On Jan. 29 the Connecticut Sun announced that assistant coaches Brandi Poole and Chris Koclanes and Director of Basketball Player Development Coach Awvee Storey will remain with the Sun through the 2022 season after signing contract extensions.
“I am ecstatic about the contract extensions of our assistant coaches. We value continuity within our franchise and I am humbled to work alongside of these amazing coaches and more importantly servant leaders,” said head coach Curt Miller.
He added, “I have spent a combined 23 seasons on the bench with Brandi, Chris, and Awvee. Brandi and Chris are both excellent x’s and o’s coaches who have a fantastic work ethic and grinding mentality. Their preparation and passion to serve our players is special.”
Poole is preparing for her fourth year in Connecticut and has been a part of three-straight playoff appearances, including runs to the 2019 WNBA finals and 2020 semifinals.
Before joining the Sun Poole was an assistant coach/recruiting coordinator at Texas Tech and spent 13 seasons as an assistant coach to Miller at Bowling Green State University and Indiana University. As a duo, Miller and Poole went 290-124 and won eight straight MAC regular-season titles and five MAC Tournament Championships.
Koclanes was hired onto Miller’s original staff and will return for his third year as a full-time assistant. He spent his first three seasons with Connecticut as the team’s video and operations coordinator. Before he was hired full time, Koclanes served as USC women’s basketball’s video coordinator for four seasons and as Saint Joseph’s University’s video coordinator for two seasons.
Connecticut is also adding Storey as the team’s full-time Director of Basketball Player Development. He joined the team in 2019 and assisted with player development. In Storey’s expanded role he will focus on expanding the resources for players, on and off the court.
Before joining Storey served as an assistant coach with the Chicago Sky in 2017 and as an assistant coach with the Capital City Go-Go the following season. Storey played collegiate basketball at Arizona State and played both in the NBA and internationally.
Miller reflected on Storey’s new role saying, “I am excited about Awvee’s new full-time expanded role with our franchise. He will help take our overall player development vision to a completely new level. Awvee’s ability to relate and connect with our players is a key aspect of our championship drive.”
The Sun’s coaching consistency has been part of the team’s success over the last several seasons. Instead of having to wait for a new hire to adjust, the staff can pick up right where they left off and continue to use their chemistry to create a plan for the season.
