Karl Smesko, in his second year as head coach of the Atlanta Dream, is leading the team to new heights, guiding them to a spot in the WNBA Finals. The Dream’s postseason performance has been strong, as the team has remained undefeated in the playoffs with a 5-0 record, signaling a significant turnaround during Smesko’s tenure.

The finals will pit Smesko’s Dream against the Golden State Warriors, coached by another second-year head coach, Natalie Nakase. This season, the Warriors swept all three regular-season games against Atlanta, making them only the second team to accomplish that feat since Smesko took over, following last season’s sweep by the eventual champions, the Las Vegas Aces.

Smesko’s coaching style has drawn praise from players, including center Angel Reese, who credited him for her individual growth and the team’s success. “He’s a coach that really believes in you, and he knows what’s best,” Reese said. “I’m really thankful for him, for being able to help me with my career and help me be better for the team.”

Smesko made the transition to the WNBA after a highly successful stint at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), where he built one of the most formidable offenses in college basketball. At FGCU, his teams eschewed midrange shots, focusing instead on layups, three-pointers, and free throws, a strategy based on statistical efficiency rather than convention. While the WNBA’s 24-second shot clock has required some adjustment, Smesko continues to emphasize these core principles.

“From the moment Karl and the coaching staff got here, we were working on threes,” said Dream guard Jordin Canada. “He just talked about how making one more three every 25 shots would increase your percentage. It’s a testament to him believing everyone can shoot threes and working on it consistently.”

Smesko’s departure from FGCU, which occurred early in the 2024-25 collegiate season, was marked by his decision to hand over the program to longtime assistant Chelsea Lyles. She continued the tradition of success, guiding the Eagles to 30 wins and an NCAA tournament appearance before joining Smesko’s staff in Atlanta the following year. Several other FGCU affiliates have followed, fostering a familiar coaching environment that Smesko says has eased the transition to the professional game.

During his 14 seasons at FGCU, Smesko amassed a remarkable 611-112 record, consistently winning at least 25 games each year—a level of sustained success comparable to historic programs. Despite occasional frustrations with NCAA tournament seedings in the college ranks, Smesko embraced the objective, merit-based format of the WNBA playoffs, which he cited as a key factor in his decision to move to the professional level.

“First, I was ready for a new challenge, and second, the WNBA was something I would have never thought I would be able to do,” Smesko said. “I am a big fan of the WNBA, and to me, it seemed like the most exciting move was to get to work with the best athletes in the world and do it against the best competition and see if you could make something work at that level.”

Through strong leadership and a distinctive approach to the game, Smesko has made that vision a reality, positioning the Dream as serious contenders in the league’s championship race.