Jose Fernandez — the face and heartbeat of USF women's basketball — has officially shifted into a new opportunity.
He's head coach of the WNBA's Dallas Wings, which he intends to stock with the world's greatest players in pursuit of a championship.
"It's something every coach aspires to,'' Fernandez said on Monday, shortly after all the contractual terms had been completed. "This is professional basketball, the highest level. If you're ever going to make a move like this, it's the right time. It was not an easy decision by any means, but I am excited and I am at peace.''
Fernandez, 53, is saying hello to a different life. The possibilities are enormous.
But saying goodbye?
That's the difficult part.
Fernandez, USF's head coach from 2000-25, first broke the news on Thursday to USF administrators, including Rob Higgins, CEO of Athletics, then shared his plans with a group of USF women's basketball supporters that had gathered for an open practice.
Fernandez said he's confident that the Bulls will continue to enjoy success under interim head coach Michele Woods-Baxter, who spent 17 seasons as Fernandez's chief USF assistant, serving invaluable roles in player development and recruiting.
"I'm leaving a USF program that I've led for 25 years,'' Fernandez said. "USF is an incredible place, and it has been so good to me and my family. We won a lot of games, and we were going to win a lot more. So, this decision is not one that was taken lightly.
"Were there emotions? Of course there were emotions. Some of the things that you feel, it's difficult to put them into words.''
What can you say about a quarter-century of unquestioned passion? What can you say about building something out of nothing, about turning a wasteland into a championship program? What can you say about the cocksure confidence that unabashedly not only challenges the biggest names in women's basketball, but hands many of them a defeat?
What can you say about his ability to skillfully develop players, sending seven of them into the WNBA and dozens more around the world as successful professionals? What can you say about insisting that his players use the game to get a college degree, then witnessing the prideful lineup of mothers, teachers, coaches, business leaders, doctors and lawyers, all competing for life's greatest glory?
What can you say about Jose Fernandez, that irrepressible personality, that irresistible charmer, that won't-take-no-for-an-answer perfectionist, that relentless hoops junkie, the guy who hurdled decades of obstacles and naysayers at a single bound, the man who made USF women's basketball matter, while carefully crafting a program worthy of your attention because of its competitiveness, entertainment value and ability to hang banners all over the Yuengling Center?
We can think of only three words.
Thank you, Coach!
"We're excited for Jose and we'll always root for him,'' Higgins said. "What he accomplished at USF speaks for itself and he'll always be a Bull.''
Higgins said USF women's basketball will continue to thrive because it's built on a solid foundation. But things can't possibly be the same.
As Fernandez transitions to the Dallas Wings — yes, he gets to coach Paige Bueckers, among others — it's worth remembering that he took over USF women's basketball, just shy of his 29th birthday, with a wing-and-a-prayer.
"USF had not won in women's basketball — in practically ever,'' Fernandez once said. "They played some games at the Sun Dome, some games at the Corral. There was no admission to the games, so there was no following, no season-ticket holders.
"What was the plan? Were we having women's basketball just to say we have women's basketball? I mean … nonsense. I knew we could win here. We had to roll up our sleeves and work. People probably wondered who was this crazy Cuban from Miami. But I knew — very clearly — the two things we had to do.''
Recruit players.
Win.
"If you don't win, you're going to get fired,'' Fernandez once said. "It doesn't matter how your kids do academically or how good you fund raise. There are a lot of really nice head coaches, very good people, who are unemployed. So, I just had to go to work.''
And he did.
Fernandez won 485 career games at USF, earning 10 trips to the NCAA Tournament. He had 12 seasons with at least 20 wins, plus 20 victories against teams ranked in the top 25, including a 2021 victory against Stanford, the defending national champion. There was also a 2009 WNIT championship, four players selected for the USF Athletic Hall of Fame, two Associated Press honorable mention All-Americans, 40 all-conference players and 79 weeks ranked in the top 25.
"What Jose Fernandez has done with USF women's basketball is absolutely remarkable,'' said UConn head coach Geno Auriemma, a Basketball Hall of Famer and 12-time national champion. "He built that place from the ground up and turned it into a great program.''
"Jose is one of the really elite coaches in our great game, " said UCLA head coach Cori Close. "I have total respect for how he thinks and teaches the game. Competitors make each other better and each time we have played, Jose has made me a better coach.''
In turn, Fernandez developed a few generations of USF women's basketball players, many of whom became household names around the athletic department.
There were dynamic scorers, such as Jessica Dickson, Shantia Grace, Kitija Laksa, Inga Orekhova, Sammie Puisis, Elena Tsineke and Courtney Williams. There was interior power with Porche Grant, Alisia Jenkins, Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu and Bethy Mununga. There was the leadership and versatility of Carla Brito, Maria Jespersen, Elisa Pinzan and the twins, Andrea and Andrell Smith.
"Plain and simple, Jose Fernandez is a winner,'' said Williams, a former USF All-American and a WNBA All-Star. "He built something really good, something that lasted.''
He has recruited and coached players from 22 different countries and 18 former Bulls currently are playing professionally worldwide. He has twice earned American Conference Coach of the Year honors. His teams have captured league championships in both the regular season and conference tournament. He won gold medals while assisting USA Basketball's Under-18 and Under-19 National Teams. This season, he became the Women's Basketball Coaches Association President.
"He's the face of all that is good about USF athletics,'' said Bulls volleyball coach Jolene Shepardson, who was a USF player when Fernandez first arrived on campus.
"With the way we scheduled and got after it, I think everyone associated with USF women's basketball helped to put our program on the national map,'' Fernandez said. "It's a tough program to walk away from because it's mostly all I have known as a head coach and I've seen it grow to some incredible heights.
"You go through the decision-making process and you start thinking, 'Holy cow, my life is going to change.' Your time is going to be different in regards to recruiting and fundraising, all the things you do in college that you don't necessarily do at the professional level.
"In many ways, the college game has turned professional, but it's still young women coming to school, going away from home, discovering who they are. Then you see them grow and mature, making a mark either on basketball or out in the world. It has all meant so much to me.''
Fernandez said he always imagined he would retire at USF.
"I never got on a plane to get a raise or go interview for a job,'' Fernandez said. "I had incredible stability at USF. I had four years left on my contract. We have been winning and we were going to continue to win.
"I just think it's an interesting transition for me to the pro game. We were in a pro system anyway with a lot of different actions and getting the basketball to our best players. The Dallas Wings are making an incredible investment. I'm excited to get this chance and I believe the future is incredibly bright.''
And as for the past?
"So many incredible memories,'' Fernandez said. "I can't wait to see what the team will do this season. They are definitely ready for Opening Night (next Monday vs. Florida International University at the Yuengling Center). Michele will have them ready to play and she's going to do an outstanding job. The Bulls won't miss a beat."
When Fernandez began in the 2000-01 season, first as the interim head coach before getting the permanent job, he said he thought he knew the predictable path.
"When you come in as a coach, you're going to get the kids excited and fired up to play for you,'' Fernandez said. "You sell your vision. You win. Then, typically, after the fourth year, you get the next job. You do the same thing there. After the third or fourth year, you go to another job.''
So how do 25 years at one place even happen? During Fernandez's tenure, there have been four USF presidents, six athletic directors and nine men's basketball head coaches (two interim).
"I didn't take the typical path because USF is a special place,'' Fernandez said. "I've been most proud of sustaining success. I'm very, very grateful for what we've built and all the people along the way, including all the athletic directors from Paul Griffin, who hired me, to Rob Higgins, who I have known since the day I arrived in Tampa.
"One thing never changes. It's everything about this game, being in the gym, the thrill of a big win, getting the team to play together. Man, I love basketball. I always have. Our program was built on hard work and people. What we accomplished at USF will always be the greatest years of my life.''
–#GoBulls–
