The Los Angeles Sparks have hired former Utah coach Lynne Roberts as their third permanent coach since they last reached the WNBA playoffs in 2020. Roberts’ hiring to succeed Curt Miller was announced on Nov. 19. The Sparks announced on Sept. 24 they had “mutually agreed to part ways” with Miller, five days after completing his second season with a league-worst 8-32 record.
Roberts, 49, had coached the Utes since the 2015-16 season, guiding them to a 165-116 record and berths in the NCAA tournament each of her final three full seasons. Utah was off to a 3-1 start before she resigned to accept the Sparks’ position. “I am honored to be named the next head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks,” Roberts said in a statement. “I want to thank our ownership group for this incredible opportunity. From conversations with Eric Holoman and Reagan Pebley, it is evident that we share a like-minded commitment toward creating a winning culture and team. “The Sparks have a talented roster with tremendous upside, and we will compete tirelessly for WNBA championships. I believe Los Angeles should be the premier market in the WNBA, and I’m eager to partner with our players and front office to make this happen.”
Holoman, the team’s governor and managing partner, called Roberts “an outstanding coach and leader.”
“We are thrilled to bring her decades of winning coaching experience to our organization,” Holoman said in a statement. “Through our comprehensive international search, Lynne’s modern view of basketball, her communication skills, and ability to build relationships made her the right choice for the role.”
Pebley, the Sparks’ general manager, said in a statement, “First and foremost, Lynne’s leadership and integrity stand out.”
“Her ability to partner with players while creating a winning culture will translate as we continue our path toward championship contention,” Pebley said. “Lynne has a dynamic and forward-thinking offensive mind, and her up-tempo style fits perfectly with the way we want to play. We love how she maximized her talent at Utah in one of the nation’s strongest conferences.”
