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    CT Sun
    Friday, May 10, 2024

    Sun assistants Poole, Koclanes to return for upcoming season

    Connecticut Sun assistants Chris Koclanes, left, and Brandi Poole, will return to head coach Curt Miller's coaching staff in 2020, Miller announced on Thursday. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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    Mohegan — Curt Miller is keeping his coaching staff together.

    The Connecticut Sun head coach and general manager announced Thursday that assistants Brandi Poole and Chris Koclanes will return for the 2020 WNBA season.

    The Sun also announced that Peter Feeney will join the franchise as the team operations manager — a full-time member of the support staff — for both the Sun and New England Black Wolves of the National Lacrosse League, which both call Mohegan Sun Arena their home.

    "I am pleased to announce the return of my entire coaching staff for the 2020 season," Miller said in a release. "I believe strongly that teams thrive and grow when you have consistency and continuity throughout your coaching staff and franchise. We are motivated and look forward to building upon our incredible 2019 journey."

    Poole has been a member of Miller's coaching staff for the past two seasons, playing a vital role in Connecticut's trip to the 2019 WNBA Finals. She joined the Sun after a stint as assistant coach/recruiting coordinator at Texas Tech from 2015-2018 and was also one of Miller's assistants at Indiana (2012-2014) and Bowling Green (2001-12).

    "Brandi and I have a tremendous friendship and bond as we begin our 16th season together," Miller added. "She is a huge reason why we have cut down 13 championship nets during our time together. Brandi is a tireless, loyal worker who brings a consistent positive energy to our team. She will continue to work directly with our talented post players and spearhead countless areas on and off the court."

    Koclanes will begin his fifth season with the Sun. He was the franchise's video and operations coordinator for three seasons before joining Miller and Poole on the bench as an assistant in 2019. He previously worked as a video coordinator at Southern Cal and Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia.

    "Chris was one of my first hires when arriving in Connecticut," Miller said. "He has played a huge role in our success on the court and oversees numerous areas within our team. Chris has an elite basketball mind and is one of the rising stars in our profession.

    Feeney, meanwhile, spent the 2019 season as the Sun's basketball operations/assistant video coordinator. He will continue to assist the Sun with operations, travel, equipment and video needs as well as serve as an operations resource for the Black Wolves.

    "Peter is a tremendous success story working his way up from a practice player to equipment manager to now a newly created full-time position with the Sun and Black Wolves," Miller said. "Peter not only serves as our operations director but has also taken our analytics to a new level in his assistant video coordinator role.

    Feeney is currently the video coordinator with the Boston University women's program and will begin his new role following the completion of the Terrier's 2019-20 season.

    Connecticut opens its 2020 season on Saturday, May 16, at home against the New York Liberty at 7 p.m.

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