Pennell, Cox leaving WNBA's Phoenix Mercury to pursue other opportunities

PHOENIX – Phoenix Mercury interim coach Russ Pennell and President Amber Cox will not return to the organization.

Pennell is leaving to pursue a return to college coaching and Cox has left to pursue other opportunities, the team said Friday.

The Mercury have yet to name replacements.

Pennell became the interim coach after Phoenix fired Corey Gaines in August. The Mercury went 9-4 after opening 10-11 and reached the Western Conference Finals, where they lost to Minnesota.

Pennell was the interim coach at the University of Arizona in 2008-09 and spent four seasons at Grand Canyon University.

Cox had been with the team since 2005, becoming chief operating officer in 2010 and president in 2011.