Sparks Fire Head Coach Jennifer Gillom, Promote Kobe Bryant’s Dad

The Sparks announced Sunday night that they have let go head coach Jennifer Gillom and assistant coach Joe Bryant has been promoted to take her place for the remainder of the season.

The Sparks are 4-6 and in the midst of a five-game losing streak, their worst since 2007.

Gillom’s record with the Sparks was 17-28 in 1+ seasons as the head coach of the Sparks. Despite finishing the 2010 season 13-21, the team qualified for the playoffs, losing to the eventual WNBA Champion Seattle Storm in the Conference Semifinals.

Gillom previously coached the Minnesota Lynx in 2009, finishing 14-20.

This is Bryant’s second stint as head coach of the Sparks. He became coach in 2005 and led the Sparks to a 25-9 record and a Conference Finals berth in 2006. He was replaced by Michael Cooper in 2007 and spent the two years between that stint and this one working in Japan and Italy.

Check out our WNBA blog, Swish Appeal, for more on the Sparks’ coaching change.