Utah Coach Lynne Roberts Named as Next Head Coach For the Los Angeles Sparks

"Being the women's basketball coach at the University of Utah has been my absolute joy and honor," Roberts said.

"I am so appreciative of President Randall, Mark Harlan, and Charmelle Green for the support and belief in my vision for what Utah Women's Basketball could be. I was very happy at the U and had no intentions of leaving to go anywhere else. I believe in Mark Harlan and I believe in what we were building. That said, the opportunity to coach for one of the league's premiere franchises at the highest level in the WNBA, in my home state, was too good to pass up. The ownership group and the team's leadership have a vision and a plan in place for storied success, and I am excited about this incredible opportunity and challenge," she continued. 

In her place, associate head coach Gavin Petersen has assumed the role as Utah's head coach, and Robert's expressed her utmost confidence in his abilities.

"Gavin Petersen will do incredible things here as the head coach," Roberts said. 

"He is an unbelievable coach and person. He has passed up several chances in the past to be a head coach elsewhere, but he believes in the University of Utah, its leadership, and what we have built. He is more than ready to take this program over and I cannot wait to be a huge support for him and be the team's loudest cheerleader in the Huntsman Center," she continued. 

A tough loss for a program that has been a shining light among the Utah athletic landscape under her watch, the Utah faithful will surely be keeping a close eye on Robert's tenure with Sparks while also feeling confident in the future of Utes Women's Basketball under Petersen.