Mar 9, 2022; Fort Worth, TX, USA; South Florida Bulls head coach Jose Fernandez motions to his team during the first half of the American Athletic Conference women's basketball tournament semifinals against the Houston Cougars at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Dallas Wings coach Jose Fernandez sets high bar for Paige Bueckers

Originally posted on Dallas Wings on SI | By Zain Bando | Last updated Dec 31, 2025 5:35 PM ET

Dallas Wings coach Jose Fernandez has high hopes for Paige Bueckers’ development.

Bueckers will enter her second season with the Wings after winning the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year this past season while beginning to establish her identity as a Wings superstar.

“Paige is a very good basketball player," Fernandez said on ‘In Case You Missed It.’ "She's one of the faces of the league and the future of the WNBA and also USA basketball.”

For someone who hasn’t coached her at the professional level, that’s high praise from Fernandez. Fernandez accepted the Wings job after a long stint at South Florida, as he’ll attempt to turn around a 10-win Wings team from this past season.

Paige Bueckers Unbothered By Jose Fernandez's Tough Coaching Style

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Bueckers told Dallas Wings on SI last month how energized she is to learn from someone as seasoned as Fernandez.

“I am very excited,” Bueckers said. “I competed against him a couple times in college and his team was always a tough competitor. He is highly regarded by people who really know basketball, so I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Bueckers said the time to buy stock in the Wings comeback hopes is right now.

“We are all extremely invested in the success of our team, and really care about each other and the community,” Bueckers said. We have a great young core and amazing pieces to build around. We all approach the game in the right way – prioritizing the right things and wanting to build this thing the right way with the right people.”

Barring anything catastrophic, the Wings’ road back to the top of the league should be extremely interesting.

For now, Bueckers is letting the rebuild play out as such.