Sharp replaces Graf on Mercury coaching staff
Jeff Metcalfe
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 16, 2002
Linda Sharp is returning to the Mercury coaching staff to assist another of her players from the University of Southern California championship years.
Sharp will replace Carrie Graf as the lead assistant for second-year head coach Cynthia Cooper. Eric Cooper, not related to Cynthia, returns for a second season on the Mercury staff after being an assistant with the American Basketball Association runner-up Southern California Surf.
Graf had the flexibility in her three-year Mercury contract to explore other WNBA jobs, Sulka said. She is expected to join the staff of the Seattle Storm to work with forward Lauren Jackson, who plays for Graf in the Australian WNBL.
Graf, also a Mercury assistant in 1998 and '99, is taking the 2002-03 season off from the Canberra Capitals but will return to coach them after that. Mercury point guard Kristen Veal plays for Canberra in the WNBA off-season.
Mercury training camp opens April 29. Preseason games begin May 9, with the regular-season opener May 29.
Sharp was one of three assistants working with Cheryl Miller in 2000, when the Mercury went 20-12 and made the playoffs. Miller and Cooper were on the 1983 and '84 NCAA championship USC teams coached by Sharp. The Mercury were 13-19 last season and did not make the playoffs.
"We've tried to keep some continuity with the staff and accomplished that," Mercury general manager Seth Sulka said. "And we're bringing back a positive piece from two seasons ago who has worked with many of the players still here and has a tremendous relationship with Cynthia."
Sharp was not a bench coach in 2000 as Miller used Tom Lewis and Vonn Read in those roles, so her game-day input will be greater this season.
"It gives her more opportunity to get out there and express the skills she has," Sulka said.
Center Maria Stepanova, one of the league's most improved players last year, and forward Lisa Harrison are among those who have worked extensively with Sharp.
Sharp is 392-172 in 19 seasons as a college coach at USC and Southwest Texas. She was the first head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks when the WNBA debuted in 1997. Cal State Fullerton was third at 1972 AIAW nationals when Sharp was a player.
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