Lin Dunn looked up at the scoreboard, shook Chicago Sky head coach Pokey Chatman’s hand at mid-court, and then it set in.
This was it.
She was done.
It was her final time walking off the basketball court as a team’s leader.
Lin Dunn exits the floor with 683 career wins. (Frank McGrath/Indiana Fever)
Dunn’s coaching career came to an abrupt ending Wednesday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Fever, the team she’s directed for the last seven seasons and been on staff with since 2004, were on the brink of its third WNBA Finals appearance in franchise history but they were knocked out by the Chicago Sky, 75-62.
Shortly after leaving the floor to an appreciative crowd, Dunn addressed her team together one last time.
“One of the things I wanted them to know is not only are they great players, but they’re great people,” Dunn, 67, said. “And when you’re coaching, sometimes you don’t have the opportunity to coach both great players and great people. So I’ve been honored to coach this team and I wish them the best. I will always be in the background if they need me.”
1995 Indiana Miss Basketball Stephanie White, who joined Dunn’s staff in 2011 and has received plenty of interest from teams in the college ranks, will take over.
Successful teams never like to see their season end, but it is more difficult for some knowing more changes are coming.
“For a lot of us, we’ve gone through a lot with Lin,” said point guard Briann January, who just completed her sixth season with the team. “She’s really pushed us and brought the best out of us so for her to say goodbye, she said ‘This is a great group of women,’ and it is. She’s a part of that. She was a part of that great group and we’re going to miss her for sure.”
For Dunn, who’s Hall of Fame career began at Austin Peay in 1970 and ended in Indiana, it has truly been an honor.
She goes out with 683 career wins over 38 seasons in both the college and professional game. Her 23 WNBA postseason wins ranks third all-time, and is the only coach in franchise history to lead the team to a championship (2012).
And yet, because they were so close to another, it stings.
“I feel like I left the franchise in a good place: one game from the Finals,” she said.”
Lin Dunn’s banner hangs in Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Prior to their final regular-season home game of the season, the Fever hung a banner for her contributions and gave her two flights to anywhere she wanted to go.
She says she’ll miss practices the most. That’s where coaches truly get to be hands-on. That’s their classroom and where they thrive. Dunn always ended their hour-long shootarounds prior to games with a half-court shooting contest. First to hit received the bill she placed a center court.
As for the most rewarding part of being a coach? That’s easy.
“To see players improve is extremely rewarding to me, and then to see the fans,” she quickly answered. “I can’t say enough about the fans here in Indianapolis. They’ve gotten on board, they’ve been great. I wish we could’ve brought them another championship but I feel sure that Stephanie White will get them one in the future.”
While head coach of the Fever, Dunn’s teams made the playoffs all seven years. They won at least 20 games every year from 2009-2012, capped off with their first WNBA Title. Being part in such growth within the franchise, Dunn accomplishing each item the first time were some of her most favorable memories.
“The first playoffs, the first Eastern Conference championship, the first time you win a championship,” she said.
“And also working with first-class people. I’ve worked at a lot of different places, college and pro. And this is the top of the top. If you could work for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, you’re working for the best of the best. (PS&E President) Jim Morris, (COO) Rick Fuson, (Fever President & GM) Kelly Krauskopf — (they’re) first-class people. I’m thrilled that at this particularly time, I got to end my basketball coaching career working for Pacers Sports & Entertainment. I can’t thank them enough.”
Fever star Tamika Catchings has been with the franchise since 2001.
“I think we’ve had our highs and low through the years,” Catchings reflected on their times together. “She’s definitely come out and tried to get the best out of her players. We wanted to send her off on a higher note than this. She’s meant a lot to this team, a lot to the Fever organization, and a lot to women’s basketball.”
Dunn isn’t leaving the game completely; she’s staying on board with the Fever as a consultant. The outspoken coach also plans to mentor and assist college coaches across the country.
She didn’t care to talk about this being her final year much throughout the season. She said that she really hadn’t given it much thought, despite being showered with gifts by teams as she made her last visit as coach to the various cities.
Dunn, though, got to go out on her own — and not everyone gets to do that. But now leaving her team for the final time, that’s tough.
“That’s challenging to say goodbye,” Dunn said as her eyes watered. “I knew sometime it was going to come, but I didn’t want to think about it until it happened.”
Heavy heart… Hard to call this night to an end. Thank you @Coach_Dunn – you have left your mark with our franchise @IndianaFever
— Kelly Krauskopf (@FeverPrez) September 4, 2014