Less than 2 years after coaching college hoops in Florida, Karl Smesko leads Atlanta Dream to WNBA Finals

Karl Smesko enjoyed notable success during his time coaching the Florida Gulf Coast women’s basketball team. But rather than remain at the college level, where he had built a powerhouse at FGCU, Smesko chose in pursue a new challenge in the WNBA.

When Smesko arrived at FGCU, the program competed in Division II. By the time he left to become the next head coach of the Atlanta Dream, the Eagles had established themselves as one of the premier programs in Division I women’s basketball.

Under Smesko...