Cheryl Reeve, head coach of the Minnesota Lynx, has become the all-time winningest head coach in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Reeve secured her 380th regular-season win on Wednesday, surpassing legendary coach Mike Thibault. The milestone comes in the WNBA's 30th season, a period marked by growing popularity for the league.
Reeve, 59, has been a prominent figure in the WNBA for over two decades, demonstrating remarkable persistence and sustained success. Her coaching career with the Lynx spans over 16 years, making her a symbol of longevity in a profession where coaching positions can be transient. Under her leadership, the Lynx have become a playoff consistent franchise, reaching the postseason in 14 of the last 15 seasons and appearing in seven WNBA Finals during that time.
Her journey to this achievement was not without challenges. Reeve recalled early career struggles where she was overlooked for WNBA coaching opportunities, with some preferring male candidates perceived as more qualified, despite lacking WNBA experience. She remained steadfast in her ambition, stating, "I'm a WNBA person. If this thing goes down, I'm going down with it. And I'm going to stick it out." She eventually got her chance to lead the Lynx ahead of the 2010 season, prioritizing the opportunity over contract length.
Reeve, a four-time WNBA champion, is also a frontrunner for Coach of the Year, an award she has won four times previously. She was recently inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Despite roster turnover and preseason uncertainty, the Lynx are once again contending for a championship this season.
Reflecting on the league's growth, Reeve expressed pride in its development, stating, "We had to push, pull, drag, kick all the things, it doesn't matter. The fight's been worth it." She also spoke about how coaching has become integral to her identity, acknowledging, "It is my identity, and I can stand in that."
Reeve continues to be driven by a passion for the game and a desire to win, with no immediate plans to step away from coaching. She expressed that her passion remains strong, evident in her engagement with each play and possession. The Lynx are scheduled to host the Liberty on Saturday, where Reeve has an opportunity to add to her record-setting win total.