LOS ANGELES — The Sparks announced Tuesday that they have mutually agreed to part ways with head coach Curt Miller after two seasons.
On Thursday, the Sparks finished their season 8-32 and in last place in the league. They were 25-55 overall with Miller at the helm and didn’t qualify for the WNBA playoffs in either season.
“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,” Governor and Managing Partner Eric Holoman said in a statement. “We wish him well moving forward.”
This decision comes at the end of a season in which the Sparks achieved a franchise-low mark. It did, however, end with a 68-51 win over the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday. After the victory, veteran guard Kia Nurse praised Miller’s “fiery” coaching-style.
“He’s one of those coaches you can talk to,” Nurse said. “We can go at him a little bit, he goes at us.”
To a person, Sparks players insist Miller cultivated a healthy locker room environment.
Miller is well-respected in and around the WNBA. He was an assistant coach for Team USA during the Paris Olympic Games. In each of his previous eight seasons as a WNBA head coach, he’s maximized his roster. He led the Connecticut Sun to a WNBA finals appearance in 2022, his last year with the team. He entered this season with a 157-109 career record.
He boasts a sturdy résumé, to say the least, which is why this season stands out. One could argue it deserves an asterisk next to it because of the lofty amount of injuries and illnesses the Sparks endured. It would be a fair argument, but Miller’s never once used that as an excuse.
“I always hold myself to: regardless of injuries and illnesses, in this league, can you overachieve?” he said Sept. 10, after the Sparks lost 86-66 to the Sun. “I just haven’t always pushed the right buttons for this team to overachieve.”
Miller added: “I love the build. I know there’s speed bumps in the build. The losses compiling was something I’m not used to.”
Last season, the Sparks finished 17-23 for fourth place in the West. They lost longtime leader and second all-time leading scorer Nneka Ogwumike in free agency after 12 seasons and had little choice but to move point guard Jordin Canada in a sign-and-trade deal.
Hope arrived in April’s WNBA draft as the Sparks added Stanford center Cameron Brink and Tennessee forward Rickea Jackson, selected second and fourth overall, respectively.
Brink tore her ACL in the 15th game this season and was lost for the year. Guard Lexie Brown didn’t play since June 20 because of Crohn’s disease. Veteran guard Layshia Clarendon sat out the last 15 games for mental health reasons before retiring after 12 seasons.
Jackson was named to the Associated Press All-Rookie Team and the Sparks were led by All-Star forward Dearica Hamby, who was named Most Improved by the Associated Press.
“I want to thank the entire Sparks organization for the opportunity to lead and help rebuild the franchise,” Miller said.
The Sparks, who have the best odds (44.2%) of landing the top pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, have missed qualifying for the playoffs in a franchise-record four consecutive seasons.
After coaching at the collegiate levels from 1991-2014, Miller became a Sparks assistant in 2015, then took over as head coach of the Connecticut Sun from 2016-22, making the postseason in six of seven seasons and twice making the WNBA finals (2019 and 2022).
Related Articles
WNBA playoff preview: Aces seek 3-peat, Caitlin Clark makes postseason debut
Sparks’ Layshia Clarendon retires after 12 WNBA seasons
Sparks beat depleted Lynx in season finale to end 8-game skid
Swanson: Are odds in Sparks’ favor entering Paige Bueckers sweepstakes?
Sparks can’t survive Rickea Jackson’s ejection, drop home finale to Mercury
Miller’s 165 regular-season victories rank 11th in WNBA history. It’s unclear what is next for Miller, who’s mentioned his love for living in Los Angeles as a reason he was drawn to this position.
Record-wise, it may seem as if he captained a pair of wayward campaigns, but he’s confident there’s a present foundation that is indicative to future success.
“I am proud of the culture created in our locker room and strongly believe the roots have been established for a bright future,” Miller said. “The team is now positioned for success, and I wish the players the best heading into the 2025 season.”