USC coach Michael Cooper resigns: “This program has to move forward.”

From USC:

USC women’s basketball coach Michael Cooper has resigned from his position, Trojan athletic director Pat Haden announced.

A national search will be conducted for Cooper’s replacement.

The Women of Troy went 11-20 this season and finished seventh in the Pac-12 in 2013 with a 7-11 mark.

“This program has to move forward, and it should have moved forward under my leadership. The best thing is for me to step down,” Cooper said. “I really want to thank the administration here at USC. Pat Haden and Donna Heinel and everyone have been very supportive. Coaching these young women at USC has been a wonderful experience for me. I wish nothing but the best for USC and the women’s basketball program.”

Cooper was a five-time NBA champion as a player with the Los Angeles Lakers who then coached the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks for eight seasons before coming to USC, where he has been head coach for the past four seasons.

“We appreciate the service and effort Michael Cooper provided while coaching our women’s basketball team, and we wish him well,” said USC athletic director Pat Haden.

“USC women’s basketball has a storied heritage, with national championship teams and some of the best players in the history of the sport. We believe we should be competing for Pac-12 championships and NCAA bids on a consistent basis. We will conduct a search to find the right person to help us do that.”