LOS ANGELES, CA – It was less than a week ago when interim head coach Fred Williams hinted that he might continue with the Los Angeles Sparks.
After the Sparks’ final game of the season against the Dallas Wings, Williams once again stated he was in talks with Los Angeles.
However, this week the team announced those talks have ended, and he will move on to Auburn to be the associate head coach of the women’s basketball team.
“The Sparks would like to thank Coach Fred for his leadership and guidance over the past four seasons as both an assistant coach and as Interim Head Coach,” Managing Partner Eric Holoman said in an official statement. “Fred has had an illustrious WNBA coaching career, and we know he will continue to make an impact on women’s basketball at Auburn.”
“I am very grateful for the opportunity and time that I have had with the Los Angeles Sparks,” Williams said. “A special thank you to Eric Holoman, my staff, and players who I have worked with throughout my time. Thank you also to our Sparks fans for your support and for making the atmosphere at our games so memorable.”
Williams took over as interim head coach on June 7 when former head coach/GM Derek Fisher was fired after a 5-7 start to the season. Williams didn’t fare much better with the interim tag as the team went just 8-16 in the final months and ended the year with a 13-23 record, a last place finish in the Western Conference and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
With several expiring contracts combined with chemistry issues, the Sparks will now have to add the hunt for a new head coach and GM to their offseason priorities.
