Los Angeles, CA – Michael Cooper has resigned from his post as head women's basketball coach for the USC Women of Troy.
The former Los Angeles Lakers great spent four seasons as head coach of the team and went 72-57 during his tenure. However, USC finished 11-20 overall this season and 7-11 in the Pac-12.
"USC women's basketball has a storied heritage, with national championship teams and some of the best players in the history of the sport," said athletics director Pat Haden, who thanked Cooper for his service. "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."
Prior to joining USC, Cooper was the head coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks.
"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 [senior women's administrator] 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."
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