LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Looks like that the Sparks have found a new head coach.
Lynne Roberts, who has spent time as the University of Utah's women's head coach since 2015, has made the jump from the college ranks to the WNBA as she has signed on to replace Curt Miller on the Sparks' coaching seat.
“I am honored to be named the next head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks,” Roberts said. “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.”
Roberts likes her teams to be as efficient as possible. In the press release, it mentioned that the Utes shot 95 percent of their attempts from behind the three-point line, the rim, or in the paint. The Sparks were 10th in offensive rating (points per 100 possessions) last season so having an offensive-minded coach like Roberts can only help.
She has been in the coaching ranks since 1997. She started out as an assistant coach in her alma mater at Seattle Pacific. In 2002, she moved on to become head coach at Chico State before going to Pacific University in 2006. Roberts would become head coach at Utah in 2015, where she took the Utes to the Sweet Sixteen in 2023. Her overall record is a tidy 383-290 (.569).
Now that the Sparks have their head coach in Roberts, they can move on to free agency around February and think about who they're going to select with the second overall pick come April at the 2025 WNBA Draft.