Hughes steps aside as Silver Stars head coach

Feb 25, 2010 - 8:24 PM SAN ANTONIO(AP) -- San Antonio Silver Stars coach Dan Hughes is stepping down to become general manager full-time and promoting assistant Sandy Brondello to replace him.

Hughes said Thursday the move is designed to keep the Silver Stars staff together, noting that Brondello has attracted interest from other WNBA teams. Hughes had been head coach and general manger since 2005.

Brondello has served under Hughes since then, which included taking the Silver Stars to the WNBA finals in 2008. Assistant Olaf Lange, who is also Brondello's husband, was promoted to associate head coach.

Hughes is the only coach in WNBA history to take three different teams to the playoffs. He has been named the league's coach of the year or runner-up four times.