Cooper No Longer Wants New Mexico Job

Former Laker player and current Sparks’ Coach Michael Cooper, who had expressed interest in the vacant coaching position at the University of New Mexico, said Wednesday he should not be considered a candidate.

“I’m happy with the Sparks and I am loyal to them,” said Cooper, who led the team to the 2001 WNBA championship and signed a two-year contract over the summer.

Cooper, who played basketball at New Mexico from 1976-78, was one of several people linked to the vacancy after Coach Fran Fraschilla resigned Saturday. Others reportedly interested include Sidney Green, who played for Nevada Las Vegas and the Chicago Bulls, and coaches at Florida Atlantic University; former Illinois and Bull Coach Tim Floyd; and University of San Diego Coach Brad Holland.

A member of five Laker championship teams during his 11-year NBA career, Cooper joined the Sparks in 1999 as an assistant and later that year was named head coach. In two seasons he has directed the Sparks to consecutive 28-4 regular-season records and one WNBA title.

Mike Terry

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Bob Bender was fired Tuesday after nine seasons as coach at Washington. Athletic Director Barbara Hedges announced the coaching change Wednesday, saying she asked Bender, 44, to resign during a 20-minute meeting.

Hedges said Washington’s win-loss record played a big part in her decision. The Huskies had consecutive 20-loss seasons for the first time in school history before finishing 11-18 and eighth in the Pac-10 this season. Bender had a 116-142 record.

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The father of Oklahoma Coach Kelvin Sampson had emergency brain surgery after falling ill during the Sooners’ practice Tuesday at San Jose. John W. Sampson, 72, known as Ned, had surgery for a subdural hematoma, or blood collecting on the brain, at about midnight, Oklahoma team physician Brock Schnebel said Wednesday.

Associated Press