Miller Out as Sparks Head Coach

It was a tough decision, but one that had to be made.

Veteran coach Curt Miller and the Los Angeles Sparks “mutually agreed to part ways,” the organization announced Tuesday.

“On behalf of our ownership group and franchise, I would like to thank Coach Miller for his passion and commitment to the Sparks organization these past two seasons,” Eric Holoman, governor and managing partner, said in a statement. “We wish him well moving forward.”

Despite the fact that the Sparks closed out their season with the worst winning percentage in franchise history, the move was a stunner and came as a big surprise since Miller and the team repeatedly said the franchise is in rebuilding mode.

The Sparks have the most favorable odds at landing the No. 1 pick and the right to select Connecticut guard Paige Bueckers in the 2025 WNBA Draft. The Sparks said they will begin an extensive search for a head coach immediately. It is the first coach opening of the offseason with the exception of Golden State, the expansion team beginning play next season.

“I want to thank the entire Sparks organization for the opportunity to lead and help rebuild the franchise,” Miller said in the release. “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.”

A full rebuild got underway this spring when the franchise drafted center Cameron Brink with the No. 2 overall pick out of Stanford and Rickea Jackson, No. 4, an all-rookie contender. Brink became the foundation after Nneka Ogwumike left in free agency and greener pastures for the Seattle Storm. She was the final piece of the star-driven 2016 championship team’s big three to leave town, joining the retired Candace Parker (Sky, Aces) and Chelsea Gray (Aces). The Sparks are in uncharted territory, with a franchise-record four-year playoff drought dating back to Parker and Gray’s final Sparks season in 2020.

Brink tore her ACL in June, forcing her to miss the rest of the season after playing in just 15 games. Injuries continued to plague this once proud and successful franchise and nine players started at least 10 games. They finished in the basement of the WNBA standings with an 8-32 record, but with bright spots in Jackson’s rookie development and an all-WNBA-level season from veteran forward Dearica Hamby.

The team is positioned well in the No. 2 market in America, however, they are falling behind fast in the WNBA’s franchise facility arms race. Free agents as well as star players are choosing to forego the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and opting for teams that offer around the clock team-specific facilities to train and practice. The Aces, Storm and Mercury have all opened their own in recent years. The Liberty and Fever utilize facilities within their arenas shared by NBA teams.

Miller, who turns 56 in October, finished his two seasons in Los Angeles with a disappointing 25-55 record. It is the second time in his career that he has been shown the door in a surprising offseason parting-of-ways. Miller left the Connecticut Sun after losing in the 2022 WNBA Finals to the Aces and took the Sparks job. He is 165-141 all-time as head coach and his Sun teams were the winningest in the league during his tenure, though they did not win the ultimate prize, a championship. His wins rank 11th in WNBA history.