The WNBA's Portland Fire are set to make a triumphant return in 2026, but it's not just the players who are returning. The team's original coach, Linda Hargrove, is also back, ready to share her insights on the challenges of building an expansion team from scratch. Hargrove's journey with the Fire is a testament to the resilience and determination required in the early stages of any sports franchise.
Hargrove's tenure with the Portland Fire was marked by a 37-59 record over three seasons. Despite the team's struggles, there were promising signs, with a 16-16 record in the final season. However, the franchise faced challenges due to the expansion draft, which often resulted in the selection of primarily bench players. Hargrove explained, 'You're getting players that aren't being protected, like the 8th or 9th players from other teams. You can get good players, but not the premier ones.'
The Fire's first pick in 2000, Lynn Pride, was a notable exception. It wasn't until 2001 that the team secured Jackie Stiles, who would go on to become the Rookie of the Year and a standout player for the following two years. Hargrove emphasized the importance of free agency in building a new expansion team, citing Sylvia Crawley, Michelle Marciniak, and Tully Bevilaqua as key signings. These players, who had previously been on other teams or in the American Basketball League, became the foundation of the Fire's success.
The Fire's return to the WNBA is a significant moment for the city of Portland, and Hargrove is thrilled to see the team's legacy continue. She expressed her excitement about the new team's prospects, saying, 'It was probably one of the best three-year experiences I've had. Just having the opportunity to put that team together and start fresh, hiring everybody and then watching the improvement we made over the three years.'
Hargrove's journey with the Portland Fire is a fascinating tale of sports franchise management, highlighting the challenges and rewards of building a team from the ground up. As the Fire prepare for their return, fans can look forward to reliving the team's history and witnessing the new era of the Portland Fire in the WNBA.
