{"id":450187,"date":"2025-12-16T04:40:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T04:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/450187\/"},"modified":"2025-12-16T04:40:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T04:40:11","slug":"how-will-changes-to-the-sparks-coaching-staff-improve-team-the-lead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/450187\/","title":{"rendered":"How Will Changes to the Sparks\u2019 Coaching Staff Improve Team? \u2013 The Lead"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Sparks recently announced<\/a> changes to their coaching staff for the upcoming 2026 season, featuring both returning and fresh faces. Second-year head coach Lynne Roberts returns to the Sparks alongside Zak Buncik, while the team welcomes Ebony Hoffman<\/a> and Zach O\u2019Brien.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Buncik Seeks to Continue His Impact<\/strong><\/p>\n

Zak Buncik joined the Sparks in 2025 as an assistant coach,<\/a>\u00a0having previously served in various roles for the Dallas Wings over the previous three seasons.<\/p>\n

Since last season, Buncik has brought over a decade of coaching experience<\/a>, including serving as an assistant coach at the University of Texas-Arlington and as an offseason WNBA trainer. Prior to his hiring with Los Angeles, he coached the Sparks\u2019 own Dearica Hamby<\/a> and Rae Burrell<\/a> during the inaugural Unrivaled season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Buncik has played an integral part in the Sparks\u2019 development, who finished the 2025 WNBA season with a 21-23 record, winning 12 more games than the previous season, showing vast improvement fans can expect to continue.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all the kind messages I have received regarding my new position with the LA Sparks. Thank you to everyone who took the time to call, text, or message me! <\/p>\n

I cannot wait to get the 2025 season started! pic.twitter.com\/NXkEqrPeGP<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Zak Buncik (@CoachBuncik) January 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Sparks Bring On Former WNBA Standout Hoffman<\/strong><\/p>\n

Along with Buncik\u2019s expertise comes Ebony Hoffman, a former WNBA player for the Indiana Fever, Connecticut Sun, and Los Angeles Sparks who has a total of 11 seasons under her belt.<\/p>\n

Hoffman returns to LA as an assistant coach after coaching with the Seattle Storm for the last three seasons.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In a statement <\/a>released by the Sparks, Hoffman says she is \u201cincredibly excited for the opportunity to join Coach Lynne Roberts\u2019 staff,\u201d and that \u201c[Roberts\u2019] vision for where this team can go is electrifying, and I\u2019m thrilled to get to work on honoring this organization\u2019s championship legacy and standards.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoffman previously earned the distinction of 2008 WNBA Most Improved Player and was a three-time recipient of the All-Pac-10 Conference award during her collegiate career at the University of Southern California.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What Will Zach O\u2019Brien\u2019s Previous Successes Mean for the Sparks?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last but certainly not least, the Sparks are bringing on Zach O\u2019Brien. <\/p>\n

O\u2019Brien joins the Sparks after serving as a member of Sandy Brondello<\/a>\u2019s coaching staff during the New York Liberty\u2019s 2024 championship season. Prior to the Liberty, he served as the Director of Player Development for the Phoenix Mercury.\u00a0<\/p>\n

O\u2019Brien returns to the West Coast with a breadth of coaching experience that will undoubtedly serve the Sparks well. Known for his detail-oriented approach, he will help the Sparks thrive and continue to capitalize on their success from last season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

O\u2019Brien is also set to serve as the head coach of Mist Basketball Club during the 2026 Unrivaled season<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Roberts is excited about the new additions to the team, saying that \u201cEbony and Zach bring complementary strengths, shared values, and a deep understanding of today\u2019s WNBA. Together with our returning staff, they form a unified group that is prepared, innovative, and aligned around building a culture our players can thrive in. I\u2019m incredibly excited for the direction we\u2019re heading and the standard this staff will set for the 2026 season.\u201d<\/p>\n

Along with the ongoing construction of their new training and practice facility<\/a>, these coaching changes are setting the Sparks up for the success they have long awaited.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Sparks hope that the addition of Hoffman and O\u2019Brien will help to strengthen the franchise\u2019s commitment to player development, culture-building, and competitive excellence.<\/p>\n