Sparks name Curt Miller as head coach

10/21/2022 2:32:58 PM EST

The Los Angeles Sparks named Curt Miller as their new head coach on Friday.

Miller, 54, held the same position with the Connecticut Sun since 2016 and guided the organization to the WNBA Finals in 2019 and 2022. He also was a two-time WNBA Coach of the Year (2017, 2021) and a league Executive of the Year recipient (2017).

"I want to thank (Sparks managing partner) Eric Holoman and the entire Sparks ownership group for the opportunity to coach one of the iconic teams in women's professional sports," Miller said. "The Los Angeles Sparks have a history of winning championships in front of one of the most passionate fanbases in sports, and it's an honor to be named Sparks head coach.

"I'm ready to work alongside our owners, players, and entire organization to help build a team that will compete for WNBA championships and make our fans and partners proud. It's a privilege to hold this position, and I'm committed to adding to the incredible basketball legacy of this city and franchise."

Holoman said he felt Miller was the right person for the job.

"Curt brings extensive experience as a WNBA head coach, where he has won at a historic pace and helped develop several All-WNBA and MVP-level players," Holoman said. "His teams play with an intensity and attention to detail our players will embrace, and a passion our fans will appreciate."

Miller guided Connecticut to a 25-11 regular season record and a berth in the WNBA Finals in 2022, losing to the Las Vegas Aces in four games.

He is 140-86 in the regular season and 16-17 in the playoffs since taking over the Sun in 2016.

"We are grateful for the time Curt spent in Connecticut building the organization into a championship level team over the past seven years," Sun president Jen Rizzotti said. "Curt and I have had multiple conversations about the future over the past few weeks. As his friend, I wanted to be supportive of the fact that he could be ready for a change.

"On behalf of the Connecticut Sun, I wanted to thank him for his commitment to the organization and for the level of sustained success he has achieved."

The Sparks finished 13-23 and missed the playoffs in the 2022 season. Derek Fisher was fired after a 5-7 start and interim coach Fred Williams went 8-16.

--Field Level Media

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