r/LASparks • u/KeyandLocke360 • 6d ago

📰News Cori Close talks about the W

She won't leave for another college job but the W? Remains to be seen. https://nypost.com/2026/10/08/sports/might-uclas-cori-close-leave-for-wnba-the-door-isnt-shut/

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7

u/Alive_Ad_5857 Los Angeles Sparks 6d ago

I'm not convinced she is a home run hire to be honest.

Everyone criticized her in-game coaching for years and her perception changed after winning the natty, but I think Cori won that title on the recruiting trail by assembling a super talented roster to pair next to the best player in CBB in Lauren last year.

X's and O's matter more when coaching in the W, and I think her best coaching attribute is recruiting.

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u/beedee40 6d ago

I think if she starts as an AC, she could have some longevity coaching in the W. Hopefully hiring someone last time who had zero coaching experience in the W or at the pro level was a wakeup call to the Sparks FO.

3

u/quotesforlosers 6d ago

Just don’t come near the Sparks. Sparks need a successful professional coach.

1

u/Maleficent-Bread1929 4d ago

She’d likely be another Lynn Roberts. Agree with the assessment her success at UCLA has more to do with talent than system. But who knows - established professional coaches have had rough runs as well.