Sept. 25—The Los Angeles Sparks announced Tuesday that the team and head coach Kurt Miller have agreed to mutually part ways.
The Sparks finished last among the 12-team WNBA this season with an 8-32 record, 24 games behind the first-place New York Liberty. Miller went 25-55 in her two seasons, and Los Angeles has now missed the playoffs for a franchise-record four consecutive years.
“On behalf of our ownership group and team, I want to thank Coach Miller for his passion and commitment to the Sparks over the past two seasons,” Sparks president and managing partner Eric Holloman said in a statement. “I wish him all the best for the future.”
Miller, 55, has a 165-141 record as a WNBA head coach after seven seasons with the Connecticut Sun (2016-22). She was named Coach of the Year in 2017 and 2021 and received Executive of the Year honors in 2017.
The Suns reached the WNBA Finals in 2019 (losing to the Washington Mystics) and 2022 (losing to the Las Vegas Aces) before Miller left Connecticut and moved to Los Angeles.
“I want to thank the entire Sparks organization for giving me the opportunity to lead and help rebuild the team,” Miller said in a statement. “I am proud of the culture we have built in our locker room and I strongly believe the team is set for a bright future and the foundation for that future has been laid and I wish the players all the best as they enter the 2025 season.”
The Sparks are preparing to rebuild in 2024 after losing star player Nneka Ogwumike to the Seattle Storm in free agency after 12 seasons in Los Angeles. Cameron Brink, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, tore his ACL in the 15th game of the season and is out for the year.
The Sparks traded the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft for Richia Jackson, who was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team. All-Star forward Derica Hamby was named the league’s most improved player.
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