Michael Cooper Named Denver Nuggets Assistant Coach
Published on July 6, 2004 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Los Angeles Sparks News Release
El Segundo, CA â The Los Angeles Sparks announced today that Michael Cooper will step down as head coach and is likely to accept an assistant coaching position with the Denver Nuggets. Cooper is expected to join the Nuggets coaching staff following Saturday's contest versus the Houston Comets. He takes on his first NBA coaching position after five seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks.
"This is one of the hardest decisions I've had to make. The success I've had with the Los Angeles Sparks has made this dream a reality," said Coach Cooper. "I'm excited to be stepping into a coaching situation with an organization that is fully committed to winning. My thanks go to KiKi Vandeweghe and Jeff Bzdelik for having the confidence in me to help Denver in their quest to a championship. I'm looking forward to the challenges Denver will provide but I will miss my Los Angeles Sparks family. I've developed great relationships with all my players and the coaching staff. We put in long hours to help make this team a success."
As Head Coach, Cooper led the Los Angeles Sparks to five straight WNBA playoff appearances, three straight WNBA Western Conference titles and two WNBA World Championship titles. He leaves the Sparks with a WNBA career record of 125-31. During his third year as head coach, Cooper led the Sparks to the leagues best road record (13-3) and best overall regular season record (25-7) for the third consecutive season. The season was topped off with the Sparks going undefeated in the 2002 playoffs and wining their second WNBA World Championship. On May 30, 2003, Cooper had his 100th career win with the Sparks against the Seattle Storm.
"We are extremely excited about the opportunity that Coach Cooper has been given. Michael embodies all the characteristics that will make him an asset to the Denver Nuggets organization," said Johnny Buss, president of the Sparks. "We're not sorry to see Michael go because we are so proud of all that he has accomplished, however, he will be sorely missed. Penny Toler has put together one of the best teams in our franchise history. As we continue our championship quest, our main focus will not be searching for a permanent head coach but to collectively, along with the Laker organization, pool our resources to find an interim replacement for the remainder of the season."
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from July 6, 2004
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- Michael Cooper Named Denver Nuggets Assistant Coach - Los Angeles Sparks
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- Sacramento Monarchs Weekly Update - Sacramento Monarchs
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