Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - The Los Angeles Sparks fired head coach Carol Ross on Sunday.
Ross, who was in her third season with Los Angeles, won the WNBA Coach of the Year award in 2012. She compiled a record of 61-36 with playoff appearances in 2012 and '13.
The Sparks, however, have started just 10-12 this season and are only 3-7 at home.
Sparks general manager and executive vice president Penny Toler will take over the head coaching duties for the remainder of the season.
"Carol is a tremendous coach, but we felt it was time to bring in a different energy to this team," said Toler on Sunday night. "Decisions like this are never easy, and we wish Carol the best."
Toler has spent her entire WNBA career in Los Angeles, amassing 17 years as a player, general manager and executive vice president with the Sparks. The longest tenured general manager in the WNBA, Toler took over the reins as GM just prior to the 2000 season and compiled back-to-back WNBA championship teams two seasons into her tenure, bringing Los Angeles titles in 2001 and 2002.
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