Lynne Roberts Named Head Coach of Sparks

Lynne Roberts has been appointed as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks, marking a significant transition from her role at the University of Utah. Roberts, who had a successful tenure at Utah with a 162-115 record and three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, replaces Curt Miller after a disappointing season for the Sparks in which they finished with the league's worst record at 8-32. She expressed her commitment to building a competitive team around a promising roster featuring young talents and a veteran presence. Roberts acknowledged her unexpected departure from Utah, where she had signed a contract extension just months prior amid challenges related to NIL and conference realignment. The Sparks hope her dynamic coaching style will revitalize the team as they prepare for the upcoming season, which begins on Nov. 4. This hiring follows the recent trend of college coaches moving to the WNBA, with Roberts being the second such appointment within a week.