Utah Women’s Basketball coach Lynne Roberts announced Tuesday that she has accepted a new role in the WNBA with the Los Angeles Sparks. Roberts will assume her position immediately, and current Utah associate head coach Gavin Petersen will take her place for the Utes. 

Utah Athletic Director Mark Harlan was quick to praise Roberts after the announcement.

“Lynne Roberts did an exceptional job elevating our women’s basketball program to a championship level, and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with her over my six-plus years at Utah,” he said. “She took our program to unbelievable heights, and made an incredible impact as a leader in our athletics department. Lynne, Katelin and their family have become great friends, and Carolyn and I will miss them very much. And while it is very difficult to see her move on, I am excited for her new coaching challenge and I wish her great success.” 

Roberts worked hard to turn Utah Women’s Basketball into the product it is today. The 2022-23 Pac-12 Coach of the Year spent nine full seasons at the U and achieved a postseason berth in six of them. Compiling a 27-5 record while leading the Utes to their first Sweet 16 since 2006 in 2023 was arguably the greatest season in team history. Roberts has continually improved the state of Utah Women’s Basketball and will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the future. 

When asked about the sudden change, Roberts was appreciative of her experience at Utah.

“Being the women’s basketball coach at the University of Utah has been my absolute joy and honor. I am so appreciative of President Randall, Mark Harlan and Charmelle Green for the support and belief in my vision for what Utah Women’s Basketball could be. I was very happy at the U and had no intentions of leaving to go anywhere else,” she said.  “I believe in Mark Harlan and I believe in what we were building. That said, the opportunity to coach for one of the league’s premiere franchises at the highest level in the WNBA, in my home state, was too good to pass up. The ownership group and the team’s leadership have a vision and a plan in place for storied success, and I am excited about this incredible opportunity and challenge.”

She continued by praising the future coach of Utah’s team.

“Gavin Petersen will do incredible things here as the head coach. He is an unbelievable coach and person,” she said. “He has passed up several chances in the past to be a head coach elsewhere, but he believes in the University of Utah, its leadership, and what we have built. He is more than ready to take this program over and I cannot wait to be a huge support for him and be the team’s loudest cheerleader in the Huntsman Center.”

Petersen has an impressive track record as a coach. Roberts promoted him to associate head coach in 2018 following a season of undeniable growth in player progression. Petersen has worked alongside some of the best players in Utah’s history. He specializes in player development and team basketball. 

In his tenure at the U, Petersen has coached numerous top-25 defenses in terms of rebounds, blocks and field goal percentage. He has also helped the Utes offensively, helping set the 2021-22 team single-season three-point record at Utah with 312 while leading the conference in team assists per game at 15.3. 

Petersen said he’s excited about the opportunity that he has been given.

“All my attention is now going to be focused on, and poured into, our players. The basketball part of things is the fun part, and we are still going to play Utah Basketball. Even though ‘change’ has occurred, everything that we set out to accomplish this season is still right in front of us, and I am extremely excited about this group, this team,” he said. “Our core principles and foundation are intact, and we will rely on each other this season as we continue this journey together. I am humbled and honored to be given the responsibility to lead this special group of young women, and I can’t wait to attack each day with them,” he said.

While nothing changes for the Utes and their immediate goals, they will have to adjust to losing a tremendous coach, personality and leader in Roberts. 

Utah will take the floor against Saint Joseph’s on Friday, Nov. 22 at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Come support Gavin Petersen and his team as they tip off for the first time in his tenure as Utah Women’s Basketball head coach. 

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