College Coach Leaving Midseason To Become New LA Sparks Head Coach
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When you get the opportunity to become a head coach at the highest level of your sport, it's tough to pass up.
For University of Utah women's basketball coach Lynne Roberts, the lure of coaching the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks was enough to get her to leave her post with the Utes two weeks into the 2024-25 season. Utah announced Tuesday night that Roberts was stepping down to become the Sparks' new head coach, with Utah associate head coach Gavin Peterson replacing her on the sidelines.
The Utes were off to a 3-1 star this year, with blowout wins over Southern Utah, Weber State and McNeese State and a loss to Northwestern.
"Being the women's basketball coach at the University of Utah has been my absolute joy and honor," Roberts said in a statement. "I am so appreciative of President Randall, Mark Harlan and Charmelle Green for the support and belief in my vision for what Utah Women's Basketball could be.
"I was very happy at the U and had no intentions of leaving to go anywhere else. I believe in Mark Harlan and I believe in what we were building. That said, the opportunity to coach for one of the league's premiere franchises at the highest level in the WNBA, in my home state, was too good to pass up. The ownership group and the team's leadership have a vision and a plan in place for storied success, and I am excited about this incredible opportunity and challenge."
A Redding, Calif. native, Roberts led the Utes to three NCAA Tournament appearances in the last three years. She began her nine-year tenure in Salt Lake City with three trips to the WNIT, and finished 165-116 with the Utes.
From 2006-15, Roberts was the head coach at Pacific, where she went to four WNITs. She led Chico State to four Division II NCAA Tournament appearances from 2002-06, including one trip to the Final Four.
The Sparks let go of Curt Miller following an 8-32 season in 2024. Miller went 25-55 overall in two years in Los Angeles.
Though the Sparks have not made the playoffs since 2020, there's plenty of talent for Roberts to utilize, including star forward Dearica Hamby and promising second-year pros Rickea Jackson and Cameron Brink.
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