Nashville Vibe Hired Yolanda Moore as Coach
The new franchise named the former WNBA champion to lead its inaugural staff and front office.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Basketball
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The Nashville Vibe has appointed 52-year-old Yolanda Moore as the professional basketball team's first head coach and general manager. The franchise is set to debut in the UPSHOT League in 2027.
Why it matters
The appointment establishes leadership for a new expansion franchise as it builds its infrastructure and roster before its inaugural season. Moore brings extensive professional playing and coaching experience to the nascent organization.
Moore is a former Ole Miss All-SEC player who was inducted into the school's Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 and earned SEC Legend status in 2012. She previously served as head coach at Clark Atlanta, Southeastern Louisiana, and LSU Eunice.
The players
Yolanda Moore
She is the first head coach and general manager of the Nashville Vibe and a former two-time WNBA champion.
Nashville Vibe
This is a new women's professional basketball team scheduled to join the UPSHOT League.
Houston Comets
This is the WNBA franchise where Moore won two professional basketball championships.
The details
As a player, Moore secured two WNBA championships with the Houston Comets between 1997 and 1998. The Nashville Vibe will operate as a new team within the professional UPSHOT League.
Timeline
Moore played basketball at Ole Miss from 1992 to 1996.
She won back-to-back WNBA titles from 1997 to 1998.
Moore entered the Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
She was introduced as coach and general manager on Oct. 7, 2026.
The Nashville Vibe begins play in 2027.
The Big Picture
This appointment follows the established expansion protocols of the UPSHOT League. It marks a foundational step for the Nashville Vibe as it aligns with the growth trajectory of the UPSHOT League.
Moore will oversee all personnel decisions and team strategy as the Nashville Vibe fills out its inaugural roster. Local fans can expect the franchise to begin recruiting players and organizing staff in preparation for the 2027 season.
The takeaway
The hiring of a veteran champion like Moore signals a focus on experienced leadership for the new franchise. Her tenure will define the tactical and cultural foundation of the team as it prepares for its first professional season.
What happens next
The Nashville Vibe is scheduled to commence play in the UPSHOT League during the 2027 season.
Further reading
For more on the regional basketball landscape, see Basketball
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