First woman to coach a professional men’s basketball team

On November 4, 2009, Nancy Lieberman was named head coach of the Texas Legends, the NBA Development League affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks, making her the first woman to coach a professional men’s basketball team. The appointment drew national attention, marking a breakthrough for women in coaching roles traditionally reserved for men.

The NBA Development League (now the G League) serves as a critical pathway for players and coaches aspiring to the NBA. By entrusting Lieberman with the helm of the Legends, the organization acknowledged her tactical acumen, leadership, and decades of experience as a player, broadcaster, and coach. Her hiring was not symbolic alone; it placed a woman in direct control of player development and game strategy in a men’s professional system.

This milestone was historically significant for gender equity in coaching. While women had long coached women’s teams, very few had been allowed to lead men at the professional level. Lieberman’s appointment expanded the horizon of what was considered possible and helped normalize the idea that coaching expertise is not gender-bound. Her success with the Legends reinforced the message that women can manage and motivate male athletes at the highest levels, influencing later decisions by NBA organizations to hire women as assistants and in front-office roles.