THE The Sparks of Los Angeles hired Lynne Roberts to become the 16th coach in franchise history, the team announced Tuesday.
Roberts joins the Sparks after nearly 20 years as a Division I coach, the last nine coming at Utah where she won Pac-12 Coach of the Year in 2023 and guided the Utes to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
“First and foremost, Lynne’s leadership and integrity stand out,” Sparks general manager Raegan Pebley said in a statement. “His ability to partner with players while creating a winning culture will translate as we continue on our path to championship contention.” Lynne has a dynamic, forward-thinking offensive mind, and her fast-paced style fits perfectly with how we want to play.
Roberts is the second NCAA trainer to jump towards the WNBA during this hiring cycle, continued Karl Smesko of the Florida Gulf Coastwho Dream of Atlanta presented earlier Tuesday. The Sparks and the Dream used search firms — Los Angeles went with TurnkeyZRG and Atlanta used Korn Ferry — to find their coaches, and the processes produced similar results.
Roberts was highly regarded for her offensive imagination as coach of the Utes. His team ranked second in Division I in offensive rating over the past three seasons, third in effective field goal percentage and fifth in total 3-point field goals. In Anonymous Coach SurveyRoberts’ peers selected her as one of the best offensive game planners and as a coach they did not want to face in the NCAA tournament.
Unleash unconventional talents Alissa Pili became Roberts’ most high-profile achievement. Pili, a small forward, had been one of the most ineffective scorers in the country, but he became a true offensive superstar after transferring to Utah. The Utes won a share of the Pac-12 title in 2023 while coming within one possession of beating eventual national champion LSU in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Pili earned Pac-12 Player of the Year honors in 2023 and became a first-round player. 2024 WNBA draft pick.
Roberts has spent his entire career on the West Coast. The California native coached at Pacific and Chico State before coming to Utah and is a natural fit for one of the WNBA’s oldest franchises. His move to the league comes during a period of transition for Utah, which joined the Big 12 in 2024-25 after the Pac-12 collapsed.
“I am honored to be named the next head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks,” said Roberts. “I want to thank our ownership group for this incredible opportunity. … The Sparks have a talented team with tremendous potential, and we will compete relentlessly for WNBA championships.
“I believe Los Angeles should be the WNBA’s premier market, and I look forward to working with our players and front office to make that happen.”
The Sparks return a roster loaded with talented young players, including the No. 2 and No. 4 picks in the 2024 draft, Cameron Brink And Rickea Jacksonplus the second pick in the upcoming 2025 draft. They do not own the rights to their 2026 first-round pick and have missed the playoffs for four straight seasons, requiring Roberts to immediately lead a competitive team.
Roberts is the fifth coach to be hired this offseason, joining Natalie Nakase at Golden State, Stephanie White at Indiana, Tyler Marsh at Chicago and Smesko. Openings remain in Washington, Connecticut and Dallas, where the Wings just won the lottery for the 2025 No. 1 pick.
This article was originally published in Athletics.
Los Angeles Sparks, WNBA
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