Chris Koclanes Joins USC Women’s Basketball Staff As Assistant Coach
September 26, 2023 | Women's Basketball
Koclanes brings eight years of WNBA experience to the Trojan coaching staff.
Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb's coaching staff is getting another depth charge with the addition of Chris Koclanes as an assistant coach for the Women of Troy. He brings in eight years of experience in the WNBA as well as prior experience on staff at USC.
"What a huge win for our program to be able to add Chris Koclanes as an assistant coach," Gottlieb said. "He has extensive WNBA experience, and can help our players see what it will take to get to that next level. He is also an elite teacher of the game. Detail oriented and forward thinking, he'll help us in every aspect from schemes to player development. Additionally, he is just a phenomenal human who is committed to pouring his knowledge and energy into the comprehensive development of our young women."
Koclanes returns to USC following a successful stretch working with WNBA head coach Curt Miller, who hired Koclanes as a video coordinator for the Connecticut Sun in 2016. Under Miller's direction, Koclanes advanced into a coaching role in 2019, serving as defensive coordinator and helping the Sun reach the 2019 and 2022 WNBA Finals as well as the 2020 and 2021 WNBA Semifinals. In 2023, Miller brought Koclanes along with him to the Los Angeles Sparks, where Koclanes has spent the last season as defensive coordinator.
"Chris' return to USC is a home run hire for the women's basketball program," Miller said of Koclanes. "I had the pleasure of working alongside of Chris for eight seasons while watching him develop into one of the elite assistant coaches in the WNBA. He is an outstanding teacher of the game with great technical skill and knowledge. Chris has a strong work ethic and will impact the USC program in his new role."
"Most importantly, Chris is an incredible human," WNBA All-Star and LA Sparks guard Jasmine Thomas said of Koclanes. "He's the kind of guy you want coaching student-athletes on the court and in life. He's a detail-oriented scouting coach that's great at player development and defensive principles. Because Chris is able to both teach and empower players, I'm so excited to watch how he thrives at USC."
Koclanes' basketball career began in operations at William and Mary and developed into a video coordinator role at Saint Joseph's, where he also earned a master's degree in organization development and leadership. Koclanes was hired as video coordinator at USC in 2015, and he served on staff for the Women of Troy while also working in a similar role with the Sun until his promotion to assistant coach in 2019.
"I am extremely excited to return to USC," Koclanes said. "This place is special, the Trojan Family is real! Lindsay has created great momentum for women's basketball, and I am looking forward to supporting her vision. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to represent and serve this university, our staff and most importantly our student-athletes. Fight on!"
"What a huge win for our program to be able to add Chris Koclanes as an assistant coach," Gottlieb said. "He has extensive WNBA experience, and can help our players see what it will take to get to that next level. He is also an elite teacher of the game. Detail oriented and forward thinking, he'll help us in every aspect from schemes to player development. Additionally, he is just a phenomenal human who is committed to pouring his knowledge and energy into the comprehensive development of our young women."
Koclanes returns to USC following a successful stretch working with WNBA head coach Curt Miller, who hired Koclanes as a video coordinator for the Connecticut Sun in 2016. Under Miller's direction, Koclanes advanced into a coaching role in 2019, serving as defensive coordinator and helping the Sun reach the 2019 and 2022 WNBA Finals as well as the 2020 and 2021 WNBA Semifinals. In 2023, Miller brought Koclanes along with him to the Los Angeles Sparks, where Koclanes has spent the last season as defensive coordinator.
"Chris' return to USC is a home run hire for the women's basketball program," Miller said of Koclanes. "I had the pleasure of working alongside of Chris for eight seasons while watching him develop into one of the elite assistant coaches in the WNBA. He is an outstanding teacher of the game with great technical skill and knowledge. Chris has a strong work ethic and will impact the USC program in his new role."
"Most importantly, Chris is an incredible human," WNBA All-Star and LA Sparks guard Jasmine Thomas said of Koclanes. "He's the kind of guy you want coaching student-athletes on the court and in life. He's a detail-oriented scouting coach that's great at player development and defensive principles. Because Chris is able to both teach and empower players, I'm so excited to watch how he thrives at USC."
Koclanes' basketball career began in operations at William and Mary and developed into a video coordinator role at Saint Joseph's, where he also earned a master's degree in organization development and leadership. Koclanes was hired as video coordinator at USC in 2015, and he served on staff for the Women of Troy while also working in a similar role with the Sun until his promotion to assistant coach in 2019.
"I am extremely excited to return to USC," Koclanes said. "This place is special, the Trojan Family is real! Lindsay has created great momentum for women's basketball, and I am looking forward to supporting her vision. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to represent and serve this university, our staff and most importantly our student-athletes. Fight on!"
Women's Basketball Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb Media Availability 9/18/25
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