Carol Ross named head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks

The Los Angeles Sparks tabbed Carol Ross as the team’s new head coach. She replaces Joe “Jellybean” Bryant who held the position after the team fired Jennifer Gillom last July.

Ross has over 25 years of coaching experience at the collegiate and professional level. She spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Dream.

“It’s a pleasure to welcome Carol Ross to our Sparks basketball family,” said Sparks vice president and general manager Penny Toler. “Carol is a proven winner with an incredible track record at both the collegiate and pro levels. She has groomed many women for great WNBA careers. We’re confident Carol is the ideal coach to lead the Sparks to our next Championship.”

Prior to working with the Dream, Ross amassed a 324-161 (.668) record in 16 seasons as an NCAA Division I head coach in the Southeastern Conference. She coached Sparks forward DeLisha Milton-Jones when she was at the helm at Florida. She spent 12 years with the Gators (1990 – 2002) and four with her alma mater, Mississippi, 2003-2007.

"I am very excited about the opportunity Penny Toler and the Sparks’ organization have entrusted to me. I look forward to the responsibility of guiding these elite WNBA athletes,” said Ross. “With the talent and experience of players such as Candace Parker, DeLisha Milton-Jones and others, the Sparks are a team with Championship aspirations.”