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Michael Cooper has starred on the court as a legendary player and on the sidelines as a highly successful coach, as he brings a wealth of experience to Troy in his first season as the head coach of the USC women's basketball program. He steps into his role at USC after finishing his eighth season as head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks, which won five Western Conference championships during Cooper's time there.
"I'm very honored to have this opportunity to coach at a great university with such a rich tradition in women's basketball. My philosophy has always been about winning championships, and at USC we want to do that as well as graduate our players and make sure they enjoy their basketball experience. I'm looking forward to working in a collegiate atmosphere and all that comes with it."
Cooper replaces Mark Trakh, who resigned as head coach after five seasons at USC. Cooper now becomes the eighth head coach for the Women of Troy since 1976.
Cooper comes to USC after spending eight seasons (2000-04, 2007-09) as the head coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks. Cooper has compiled a 178-88 (.669) regular-season record, plus 24-14 (.667) in the postseason. He won five Western Conference titles and guided the Sparks into the WNBA playoffs six times, winning the WNBA Championship in 2001 and 2002 (and finishing as runner-up in 2003). He was the 2000 WNBA Coach of the Year in his debut season.
Cooper served as a special assistant to Lakers general manager Jerry West for three years before joining the Lakers coaching staff for four seasons (1994-1997). He returned to the NBA in 2005 as an assistant with the Denver Nuggets, including a stint as interim head coach. He then became the head coach of the NBA Development League's Albuquerque Thunderbirds for two seasons (2006-07), winning the NBA D-League Championship in 2006 and posting a 50-48 (.510) regular-season record.
Cooper had a 12-year (1979-90) playing career with the "Showtime" Lakers and was a member of five NBA Championship teams (1980-82-85-87-88). Known for his defensive prowess, he made the NBA All-Defensive Team eight times and was the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year in 1987. He finished ranked in the Lakers' Top 10 in 3-point field goals (428), games played (873), minutes played (23,635), steals (1,033), blocked shots (523), assists (3,666), defensive rebounds (2,028) and free-throw percentage (.833). He played professionally in Italy in 1991 with Pallacanestro Virtus Roma.
He attended Pasadena (Calif.) High and then Pasadena City College before starring at New Mexico, where he made the All-Western Athletic Conference first team as a senior in 1978. He was selected to the Lobo Hall of Honor in 1992.
Active in the community, he was presented with the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 1986 by the Pro Basketball Writer's Association and the Commitment to Excellence Award during the 2007 Los Angeles Sports Fans Choice Awards.
Born April 15, 1956, Cooper has four children: Michael II, 28, Simone, 24, Miles, 19, and Nils, 4.
