New coach Lynne Roberts focused on bringing championship culture back to Sparks
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Itâs a new era for the Sparks once again.
Longtime collegiate head coach Lynne Roberts enters into the spotlight as the Sparksâ new coach, making the leap to the WNBA with the mission of revitalizing a franchise coming off its worst season in history.
Over her 27-year coaching career, Roberts has successfully transformed college programs, achieving complete turnarounds at Chico State, Pacific and Utah. Now she faces the challenge of replicating that success at the next level, navigating the heightened pressure that comes with coaching in Los Angeles.
âNo oneâs going to put more pressure on me than I put on myself,â Roberts said. âI put a ton of pressure on myself to succeed. As a competitor and someone who thrives under pressure, being in this market, being in L.A. â it sounds like heaven to me.â
The Sparks have hired Lynne Roberts, who has spent the past 18 seasons as a Division I head coach, their new head coach. She replaces Curt Miller.
Although entering a rebuild once again, Roberts has lofty goals for a franchise she feels should be the premier organization in all of the WNBA.
âThis should be the best organization, program, [and] team in the W,â Roberts said. âIâm here to do what I can and do my part to win as many games as you can and get that championship culture back.â
Before accepting the job, Roberts faced questions about why she would take on such a daunting challenge. Not shying away from the challenge, her response was simple: âWhy wouldnât I do this?â
âBasketball is basketball, [and] I think coaching is coaching,â Roberts said. âFor me, everywhere Iâve coached, itâs about developing relationships with the players and creating a true, genuine, authentic connection with each one of them.â
Roberts inherits a team that finished last in the WNBA (8â32) but possesses an abundance of untapped potential. The team is led by a young core featuring second-year players Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson, alongside veteran and WNBA All-Star Dearica Hamby.
âWeâre going to do just fine, and I want to compete,â Roberts said. âI want to win now. I know thatâs easier said than done, but Iâm up for the challenge, and I canât wait to get started.â
Roberts came with glowing reviews, which general manager Raegan Pebley, who has known Roberts for more than a decade, read aloud at the presser. Words such as âcaring,â âhigh standards,â âconfidentâ and âhelpfulâ were attached to Robertsâ makeup.
âThatâs how sheâs always shown up as Iâve known her for over a decade,â Pebley said. âI know thatâs how sheâs walked through this entire process.â
For Pebley and managing partner Eric Holoman, Roberts checked all the boxes the organization outlined during its exhaustive coaching search, which took Pebley across the country and around the globe.
Roberts possessed all the characteristics Pebley was looking for in a new head coach: forward thinker, developer of people and leader. These traits made the decision a no-brainer as the choice to bring the Sparks back to relevancy.
The Sparks, who had the worst record in the league last season, land second overall pick despite 44.2% chance to win the draft lottery. Dallas wins No. 1 pick.
Finding the right head coach is just one of the committed investments the franchise is making in its future. Another is the teamâs search for a location for its new practice facility, which has yet to be announced.
With plans to move from renting space at El Camino College in Torrance, Pebley says the initiative aims to create a space with the best resources for a successful team and coaching staff.
âWe want to build a home that is reflective of who they are, the direction weâre going, the excellence they strive for and model all the time,â Pebley said. âWe want to put memories in there, and weâre really thrilled that we are well on our way.â
