- Lin Dunn
Lin Dunn is an American longtime women's
basketball coach. She is most known for being the first coach and general manager for theSeattle Storm . She has more than 500 wins to her name.The 1969
University of Tennessee-Martin graduate coached for decades in the college ranks, amassing a 447-257 record in 25 seasons as a college head coach. In her tenure atAustin Peay State University , theUniversity of Mississippi , theUniversity of Miami andPurdue University , she made theNCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship seven times, and theFinal Four once, in 1994 with Purdue. She is in the AthleticsHall of Fame at both Austin Peay and Miami. Dunn also was president of theWomen's Basketball Coaches Association in 1984-85.She came to the pros with the American Basketball League's Portland Power in 1996. She was ABL's coach of the year in 1998, right before that league folded. Dunn then became the first coach and GM of the expansion
Seattle Storm in the ABL's rival, the WNBA. Her folksy southern personality was a hit in urbaneSeattle , with fans often wearing Dunn masks and quoting her rustic aphorisms. The team started with a dismal 6-26 season.Dunn left the Storm just as it was starting to have success. New superstars
Lauren Jackson andSue Bird led the team to the 2002 playoffs, where they were swept by theLos Angeles Sparks . Dunn then resigned, leaving the path open forAnne Donovan to build a championship team just two seasons later.Dunn now is the head coach with the
Indiana Fever .
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