Los Angeles Sparks name Curt Miller next head coach

Last Friday, the Los Angeles Sparks named two-time Coach of the Year Curt Miller as their new head coach.

Miller is fresh off of a WNBA Finals appearance with the Connecticut Sun as they lost to the Las Vegas Aces 3-1. He led the Sun to two WNBA Finals appearances in 2019 and 2022.

The 54-year-old coached the Suns from 2016 to 2022 and only missed the postseason in one year (2016). He finished his tenure with a 60-plus win percentage with the franchise.

In addition to coaching, Miller was also the Suns’ General Manager during his time in Connecticut. He was named executive of the year in 2017.

Before coaching in the WNBA, the two-time coach of the year served as an assistant coach at Cleveland State University, Syracuse University, and Colorado State University. He would then go on to become the head coach for Bowling Green State University and Indiana University.

Miller coached at the college level from 1991 to 2014. He will be taking over for interim head coach Fred Williams, who finished the 2022 season after General Manager/Head Coach Derek Fisher was fired 12 games into the season.

Miller also served as an assistant coach for the Sparks under Brian Agler.

The Sun will truly miss Miller who made sure that they were prepared each season. He always made crisp in-game decisions and on-the-fly adjustments. No matter what injury or setback occurred, Connecticut was always prepared.

Sparks managing partner Eric Holoman explained how Miller’s experience would benefit the Sparks’ growth and next chapter.

“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,” said Holoman.

Los Angeles is a city that relies on star players and coaches. This season, the Sparks will have a coach that is ready for the challenge of developing players while pushing the envelope to contend for a title.

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Miller is looking to help the Sparks capture their fourth franchise championship.