Nashville Vibe Names Two-Time WNBA Champion Yolanda Moore as Inaugural Head Coach

From championship player to culture-builder — the next chapter of women’s basketball in Music City begins now.

NASHVILLE, TN - The UPSHOT League’s newest franchise has its first leader. Last Wednesdy (Oct 7, 2026), the Nashville Vibe announced that two-time WNBA champion and longtime coach Yolanda Moore will serve as the team’s inaugural head coach and general manager, marking a major milestone for professional women’s basketball in the city.

Moore arrives with more than two decades of experience as a player, coach, and basketball commentator. As a collegiate standout at the University of Mississippi, she earned First Team All-SEC honors in both 1995 and 1996. She went on to win back-to-back WNBA titles with the Houston Comets in 1997 and 1998. In recognition of her playing career, she was inducted into the Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 and named an SEC Legend by the Southeastern Conference in 2012.

Her coaching résumé is equally impressive. Moore engineered successful turnarounds at LSU Eunice and Clark Atlanta University, guiding Clark Atlanta to the 2018 SIAC Conference Tournament Championship and earning SIAC Coach of the Year honors. She has also participated in several NBA coaching development programs, serving as a guest coach for the Indiana Mad Ants during the G-League Winter Showcase, head coach of the NBA Academy International Team at the Atlanta Summer Tournament, and an on-court clinician at the NBA Basketball without Borders Coaches Clinic in Japan.

“It is an honor to be named Nashville’s first head coach,” Moore said. “This game has given me the opportunity to compete, grow, and lead at every level, and I’m excited to create those same opportunities for the next generation of Vibe players. We want to build a winning culture in Nashville rooted in how we compete on the court and how we show up for the community.”

Nashville Vibe President and CEO Nancy VanReece praised the hire. “We are thrilled to welcome Yolanda Moore as head coach and general manager of the Nashville Vibe. Her commitment to basketball excellence matches the standard we want to set for this team from day one. I’m excited for our players to learn from her and for Nashville to see the team she builds.”

UPSHOT Deputy Commissioner Taj McWilliams-Franklin also highlighted the significance of the appointment. “Naming Yolanda Moore as the Nashville Vibe’s first head coach is a tremendous moment for this franchise and for the League. Coach Moore has built a career defined by excellence, leadership, and a genuine commitment to developing players. Her ability to connect with athletes, build strong cultures, and lead with purpose makes her an exceptional fit for Nashville.”

The announcement follows the franchise’s September 15 name and identity reveal. The Vibe will tip off its inaugural season at Vanderbilt Memorial Gymnasium in May 2027 as the UPSHOT League expands for its second season. The league currently features six teams: Jacksonville Waves, Charlotte Crown, Greensboro Groove, Savannah Steel, Baltimore Starlings, and Nashville Vibe.

Season memberships, group outing packages, and official Vibe merchandise are now available at NashvilleVibe.com.

With Moore now at the helm, Nashville’s professional women’s basketball chapter is officially underway. Stay tuned.