Curt Miller is stepping down as coach of the Los Angeles Sparks after the team failed to make the playoffs for the fourth year in a row and the second time under his leadership.
On Tuesday, the team announced Miller’s departure, stating that both sides had “mutually agreed to part ways.”
The Sparks, who have won three WNBA championships, will start looking for a new coach right away.
This season, the team had the worst record in the league at 8-32 and faced many injuries, including one to rookie Cameron Brink. In Miller’s two seasons, the team had a total record of 25-55.
However, this season, Dearica Hamby received All-Star recognition and won The Associated Press Most Improved Player award, while Rickea Jackson was named to the AP All-Rookie Team.
Miller’s overall record as a head coach in the WNBA is 165-141, which includes his time with the Connecticut Sun. He was named WNBA Coach of the Year in 2017 and was also the first Executive of the Year while serving as the general manager of the Sun.
He led the Connecticut team to the WNBA Finals in 2019, where they lost to Washington, and they made it back to the Finals in 2022, losing to Las Vegas. Miller was the first openly gay male coach in college or professional basketball when he joined the Sun.
In related news, the Aces recently defeated the Storm 83-76, marking their sixth straight appearance in the WNBA semifinals. Ionescu scored 36 points, helping the Liberty advance to the semifinals with a 91-82 win over the Dream. Kelly Krauskopf has returned to the Indiana Fever as President of Basketball and Business Operations.
Miller, who will turn 56 next month, was an assistant coach for the Sparks in 2015.
“I want to thank the entire Sparks organization for the opportunity to lead and help rebuild the franchise,” Miller said in a statement released by the team.
“I am proud of the culture created in our locker room and strongly believe the roots have been established for a bright future. The team is now positioned for success, and I wish the players the best heading into the 2025 season.”
