An Ohio native, Dan Hughes has coached basketball at nearly every level. Hughes began his coaching career during the 1977-78 season as a graduate assistant at Miami of Ohio, assisting the team to a MAC Championship an NCAA Regionals appearance.
Hughes earned his undergraduate degree in physical education and history from Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio and received a master’s in education from Miami University of Ohio.
Currently in his third season in San Antonio, Hughes serves as both the head coach and general manager of the WNBA San Antonio Silver Stars. Prior to joining the Silver Stars, Hughes was the head coach of the WNBA Cleveland Rockers from 2000-03 before the team ceased operations. During his stint with the Rockers, the team made it to the playoffs in three out of four seasons.
The Silver Stars have had losing seasons every year since moving to San Antonio in 2003. With some great new additions to the team, things seem to be changing in 2007.
This is an exciting year for the Silver Stars with newcomers Becky Hammon, Ruth Riley and Erin Buescher joining Sophia Young, Marie Ferdinand-Harris, Vickie Johnson, Shanna Crossley and the rest of the squad.
Currently the Silver Stars have a 10-6 record - good enough for second place in the Western Conference.
Interview with Coach Dan Hughes
Can you talk a little bit about the acquisition of Becky Hammon and the impact that she has made on the team this season?
Becky has brought a great impact in both our play and attitude. She is a true student of the game and is a tough, skilled competitor. She has a calming influence in pressure situations with and without the ball. Her ability to attack defenses in different ways makes her a very tough player to guard and her passing ability continues to make other players better. She is truly having an exceptional year.
And also about Ruth Riley and what her veteran leadership has provided to this team?
Ruth does the little things so very well. She makes us better at both ends, is totally unselfish and invaluable to the teams success.
You coached successful teams in Charlotte and Cleveland before coming to San Antonio. How tough has it been for you, finishing with a losing record the last two years here in San Antonio?
Patience is not my best characteristic. It has truly been a persistent, growing pursuit of building a team and organization that represents our goals as a winning team with character people. We have tried to do it in a way that as we become good we could stay good because of our salary position and the type of people on our roster. In my other situation in Cleveland, it was not necessary to totally overhaul the roster and the attitude of the team, but here it was needed. The end product is something we and our fans can be proud of.
What areas do you think this Silver Stars team needs to improve on to go deep into the playoffs this season?
We need to establish a stronger rebuilding attitude and continue to develop our inside /outside approach offensively.
I know you filled in for Sean Elliott as the color man for the Spurs this season. How was that experience and how does it help to be around such a successful franchise like the Spurs?
I loved working for the Spurs when Sean was away. It is something special to have been able to be part of a broadcasts of a team that would be NBA champions. I got such good interactions in the community and what a great learning experience for a basketball man like myself.
What would you tell the people of San Antonio about the Silver Stars and why they should come out to the arena to watch?
The WNBA product is best experienced in person. I have so many fans of all ages and sexes tell me what an impact the players and game was in person. We have a fun environment for fans to join in and a team that they can relate to in various ways long after the game is done.
Thank you for your time and good luck the rest of the season.