Picture this: A towering WNBA legend, once a rebounding powerhouse, now stepping into coaching – and harboring a fascination for the solemn art of embalming. It's a career pivot that's as inspiring as it is intriguing!
Dive deeper into the story of Sylvia Fowles, the Portland Fire's latest assistant coach, whose journey blends basketball brilliance with an unexpected passion. But here's where it gets controversial: Could her dual interests challenge our traditional views on what 'normal' career paths look like in sports? Stick around, because most people miss how her unique background might just reshape how we see leadership on and off the court.
On the basketball court, Sylvia Fowles earned the nickname 'Big Syl' for her imposing 6-foot-6 frame as a center. She was a dominant force, renowned for her relentless pursuit of rebounds and her skill at blocking shots. Off the court, she became 'Mama Syl,' a seasoned mentor who poured her energy into guiding younger players toward stardom.
Now, for the first time, she's stepping into yet another role: 'Coach Syl.' On a Monday morning, the Portland Fire, Oregon's new WNBA franchise, made the announcement that Fowles would join their coaching staff as an assistant coach. She'll work alongside head coach Alex Sarama and fellow assistant Brittni Donaldson, who also serves as assistant general manager.
This hire is particularly noteworthy because Sarama, a young 30-year-old British coach, brings fresh energy but limited experience in professional women's basketball. Fowles, on the other hand, represents the opposite: a coaching novice with a storied playing background that makes her one of the WNBA's most admired figures. Despite never coaching before, her reputation as a leader and a commanding presence in the paint during games cements her value.
Fowles' professional journey began after her collegiate days at LSU, where she honed her skills. In 2008, the Chicago Sky selected her as the No. 2 overall pick in the WNBA draft. She spent six impactful years with the team before being traded to the Minnesota Lynx in 2015, where she played a pivotal role in one of the league's most legendary eras.
Under her leadership, the Lynx captured WNBA Championships in 2015 and 2017, and Fowles was honored as Finals MVP in both seasons. In 2017, she delivered standout performances, averaging 18.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and two blocks per game, earning the prestigious WNBA MVP award. For beginners in basketball, think of MVP as the Most Valuable Player – it's like the league's top honor, recognizing the athlete who made the biggest impact that year.
When Fowles retired in 2022, she held the record as the WNBA's all-time leading rebounder. Her accolades include eight WNBA All-Star selections, three All-WNBA First Team nods, four Defensive Player of the Year titles, and eight spots on the All-Defensive team. In 2025, she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a testament to her enduring legacy.
' Sylvia is a true icon of the game,' Sarama stated in the team's press release. 'Her vast experience, natural leadership, and deep knowledge of the league will be essential as we build the Portland Fire's identity and establish our playing philosophy. Sylvia embodies excellence, has strong ties to the WNBA, and brings a player-centric approach that will uplift our entire organization.'
For Fowles, deciding where to launch her coaching career felt straightforward. She was already relocating from South Florida to the Pacific Northwest, and the opportunity to help launch a brand-new franchise was irresistible. 'The vibe in Portland really caught my attention,' she explained. 'It's a city that truly supports women's sports, offering a vibrant community for female athletes. I saw it as a perfect spot to dip my toes into coaching and lay down some solid groundwork.'
What sealed the deal for her was her meeting with Sarama, who emphasized her role in shaping the team's culture. 'He gave me equal say in defining what our culture should entail and how it aligns with his vision, so there wasn't much convincing needed,' Fowles shared about their conversation. 'I believe we'll attract top players. The gameplay itself is straightforward, but instilling values and a lasting culture – that's where the real work lies, and it's crucial for the long haul.'
She noted that her experiences with the Lynx, a squad famous for its winning mentality, and the Sky, which was a fledgling team during her early years, will prove invaluable as the Portland Fire assembles its roster. To illustrate, the Lynx's culture under Fowles' influence might provide a blueprint for fostering teamwork and resilience, while her Sky days could offer lessons in building from the ground up.
Fowles anticipates a seamless shift to coaching, drawing from her playing days where she naturally assumed leadership roles and enjoyed mentoring rookies. For instance, fellow Lynx star Napheesa Collier has publicly credited Fowles for helping shape her career, highlighting how Fowles' guidance turned potential into performance.
This leadership style, Fowles reveals, stems from her family upbringing. 'A big part of it comes from how my mom raised me,' she said. 'I'm the youngest in my family, but she treated me like the eldest, so I was responsible for waking everyone up, preparing school outfits for the week, and ensuring we packed nutritious lunches instead of junk food. It instilled a sense of accountability early on.'
And this is the part most people miss: While Fowles is venturing into basketball coaching, she's also pursuing a completely different path in her post-retirement life. Since childhood, she's been captivated by embalming and funeral directing, and she's even enrolled in classes toward a mortuary science degree. This might seem like an odd juxtaposition, but Fowles finds it profoundly enlightening.
Her fascination with mortuary science ignited around age 5 or 6 after her grandmother's passing. 'My older siblings thought it would be meaningful for us to kiss her goodbye before the casket was closed for burial,' she recalled. 'But I had an allergic reaction – I mistakenly believed it was due to a mistake in the process, not realizing it was from the embalming fluids.'
This incident sparked her curiosity about embalming, and combined with her family's traditions of dressing and styling hair for relatives, she developed a deep interest in a profession that often surprises people. 'It's incredibly grounding,' Fowles remarked. 'People sometimes ask, 'Doesn't it creep you out?' But I tell them, it puts everything into perspective and reminds me not to take life for granted. It gives me a fresh viewpoint on the other side of things.'
For those new to this, embalming is the process of preserving a body after death, often involving chemicals to slow decomposition, and mortuary science is the study behind funeral services. While some might view this as macabre, Fowles sees it as a counterpoint to the high-energy world of sports, offering balance and humility.
But here's where it gets controversial: In a society that often pigeonholes athletes into sports-related careers, Fowles' embrace of mortuary science challenges norms. Is it empowering for women in sports to pursue 'non-traditional' interests, or does it dilute their focus? What if this unique lens actually makes her a more empathetic coach?
Nik Streng serves as the high school sports editor for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Beyond reporting on games and events, Nik oversees a team of freelancers across the state, ensuring comprehensive coverage of Oregon's athletic scene.
What do you think? Does Sylvia Fowles' blend of basketball and mortuary interests inspire you or seem too unconventional? Share your thoughts in the comments – do you agree that diverse passions can enhance leadership, or should athletes stick to their sport? We'd love to hear your take!
