LOS ANGELES —The Sparks hired Lynne Roberts to become the team’s next head coach on Tuesday.

Roberts will leave her position as the University of Utah head coach, which she held for nine full seasons and after leading the Utes to a 3-1 record this season.

Roberts, 49, will replace Curt Miller, who mutually parted ways with the team Sept. 24. She inherits a Sparks team coming off its franchise-worst season in which they had an 8-32 record and were given the second-overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft.

“I am honored to be named the next head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks,” Roberts said in a statement. “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 led the Utes to the NCAA Tournament in each of the past three seasons. Over that period, the Utes displayed historic efficiency, ranking No. 1 in the nation in field-goal attempts from beyond the 3-point line and at the rim, second in overall offensive rating, and third in effective field-goal percentage.

Roberts was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year in 2023 after the Utes went 15-3 in the conference as the regular-season co-champions. They finished 27-5 overall, advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Last season, Utah went 23-11 and 11-7 in its final year in the Pac-12.

Before coaching at Utah, Roberts spent nine seasons at Pacific University. She also played collegiately at Seattle Pacific University, where she set a school record by making 82 3-pointers in a season. Roberts also spent time learning under the winningest head coach in college basketball history — Cameron Brink’s former Stanford coach — Tara VanDerveer, who said in 2024 that Roberts’ teams “play what I call beautiful basketball.” Entering 2024-25, which she began as Utah’s head coach, Roberts’ collegiate head coaching record stood at 383-290.

“Lynne is an outstanding coach and leader,” Sparks Governor and Managing Partner Eric Holoman said. “We are thrilled to bring her decades of winning coaching experience to our organization. Through our comprehensive international search, Lynne’s modern view of basketball, her communication skills, and ability to build relationships made her the right choice for the role.”

The Sparks roster is headlined by burgeoning second-year players Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. Post players Dearica Hamby, Azura Stevens and Li Yueru were bright spots this season. The Sparks will also return guard Stephanie Talbot and Rae Burrell as well as guards Julie Allemand (ankle) and Lexie Brown (crohn’s disease), who missed the second-half of last season.

Along with the second-overall pick, the Sparks will round out their roster with the 13th, 26th and 28th selections in the 2025 WNBA draft.

Roberts’ job not only includes reinvigorating one of the WNBA’s three original franchises, but fostering success in Los Angeles, which has the potential to be the epicenter of women’s basketball. Because of her time coaching in the Pac-12, and on the West Coast; and her tight bond with UCLA women’s basketball coach Cori Close, Roberts understands the importance of maximizing the market she is now in.

Close responded to comment on this saying:

“Lynne’s an elite basketball mind. She’s going to do a great job elevating the L.A. Sparks, and I’m excited to professionally partner to grow women’s basketball in LA. So, I just think we are lucky to have her. She’s going to make the L.A. Sparks a destination place for WNBA players, that want to be there because of the way she leads.”