Derek Fisher fired as head coach/general manager of WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks have fired head coach and general supervisor Derek Fisher and have named assistant Fred Williams as his interim replacement on the sideline.
Hired forward of the 2019 season, Fisher completed 54-46 over-all with the Sparks. The organization reported it will start a research for a new standard manager right away.
“On behalf of our possession team, I want to thank Derek for his efforts and contributions to the Sparks franchise,” controlling husband or wife Eric Holoman mentioned in a launch. “We want him the most effective transferring forward. I have total self esteem in Fred Williams to stage into the position of interim head mentor, bringing a prosperity of practical experience primary WNBA groups.”
The Sparks ended up hoping to rebound from a 12-20 campaign previous period in which they missed the playoffs for the first time given that 2011. In spite of bringing in four-time All-Star Liz Cambage and 2020 No. 4 overall draft decide Chennedy Carter this offseason, Los Angeles is just 5-7 and in eighth area in the standings to begin this period, a extend that integrated a 5-recreation dropping streak previous thirty day period.
The Sparks also have had an unfavorable plan, taking part in just a few of their 12 game titles at home.
Fisher, who gained 5 championships actively playing with the Los Angeles Lakers and formerly served as a mentor for the New York Knicks, was the only applicant deemed to exchange former Sparks mentor Brian Agler, then-general supervisor Penny Toler mentioned at the time. Following Toler’s departure from the corporation, Fisher at some point assumed the job of GM in December 2020.
“I want to thank the L A Sparks organization, possession, staff, gamers, and lovers for the opportunity they have afforded me in excess of the previous 4 years as a portion of this historic franchise,” Fisher explained in the workforce assertion, including that he options to “change my target back to pursuing other alternatives and personal endeavors.”
“Their assistance has permitted me to expand as the two a coach and entrance business government and I am proud of what we have achieved.”
The a few-time champion Sparks, one particular of the 3 remaining founding franchises in the WNBA, won just one playoff activity in Fisher’s three entire seasons. Although the Sparks last received a WNBA title in 2016, they designed the Finals in 2017, shedding to longtime rival Minnesota in five game titles.
Williams has in depth WNBA coaching knowledge, which includes as head coach of the Utah Starzz (1999-2001), Atlanta Dream (2012-13) and Tulsa Shock/Dallas Wings (2014-18), with whom he coached Cambage.
He was intended to go away Los Angeles midseason following using the job as associate head mentor at Auburn, but a resource told ESPN he now intends to go away for Auburn pursuing the WNBA year.
