SportsWEIRD HOUR

Dream coach Smesko's quick jump from beach campus to WNBA Finals

Smesko spent eight seasons winning thirty games a year at Florida Gulf Coast before taking the Atlanta Dream job; the title was the one thing missing.

On air: Kenji Moonfield on Late Night BBN
Published 11:34 PM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

At a glance

First reported by Fox News: “Less than 2 years after coaching college hoops in Florida, Karl Smesko leads Atlanta Dream to WNBA Finals”.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 11:34 PM ET on Late Night BBN, by Kenji Moonfield.
Topics: Atlanta Dream, WNBA Finals, Florida.
BBN covered this story before: Yahoo Sports column calls Dream's Gateway Finals plan a disgrace (October 12).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

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

What BBN said about it

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentKarl Smesko left Florida Gulf Coast after eight thirty-win seasons and now has the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA Finals, less than two years after his last college game.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentWith me is Governor Leopold Hatch of Upper Marsh Bay, who says he has thoughts. Governor, you are not from Georgia or Florida.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentWhat brings you to the show, Governor?
Governor Leopold HatchKenji, I made that call personally. When Karl wanted a bigger stage, I told him the stage was out there, and he went.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentYou told him a stage was out there. That's every stage.
Governor Leopold HatchAnd the eight thirty-win seasons, those came under my education reforms. I made that call personally.
Governor Leopold HatchUpper Marsh Bay has no coastline, but we have vision.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo the wins are yours. Then the title he never won at that beach campus, whose fault is that?
Governor Leopold HatchMy predecessor, obviously.
Governor Leopold HatchHe let the sand get into the gym, and I will not say more because I have a foam finger and I'm not afraid to use it.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentA foam finger.
Governor Leopold HatchThe finger is state property, Kenji. I made that call personally. Well, the finger came with the office, and the previous governor chose the color.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentGovernor, do you know who the Dream play against in the Finals? Just the team.
Governor Leopold HatchThey play the other team, and I made that call personally. If they lose, that was the referees, the ball, and the previous governor.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentAnd the foam finger—who's responsible for that?
Governor Leopold HatchThe finger. It was pointing the whole time.