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BREAKING: Atlanta Dream fire head coach Michael Cooper

By Russell Steinberg

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 7: Head coach Michael Cooper of the Atlanta Dream looks on in a WNBA game against the Tulsa Shock on July 7, 2015 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 7: Head coach Michael Cooper of the Atlanta Dream looks on in a WNBA game against the Tulsa Shock on July 7, 2015 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Two days after a lackluster regular season concluded in Atlanta, the Dream have fired head coach Michael Cooper. The team announced the move in a press release Tuesday morning.

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Atlanta finished the season 12-22, which was not enough to qualify for the playoffs, after the Dream made the cut last season.

"“We are grateful that Michael Cooper has been part of our franchise over the last four years,” Dream owners Mary Brock and Kelly Loeffler said. “Michael shared a wealth of experience from his championships in the NBA and coaching two WNBA championship teams. We hope our fans will join us in thanking him for his dedication to the Atlanta Dream.”"

The Dream went 63-73 during Cooper’s four years at the helm, qualifying for the postseason in 2014 and 2016. That 2014 team finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference and earned the only No. 1 seed in franchise history.

"“I am very proud of the young and cohesive team we’ve built and I want to thank the Atlanta fans, the Dream organization, and, most of all, our players for their dedication and hard work,” Michael Cooper said. “We’ve grown as a team and I’m confident these talented and exciting players will continue to realize their potential both as a team and individually.”"

Prior to his tenure in Atlanta, Cooper spent time coaching the Los Angeles Sparks and USC. As Sparks coach, he led the team to WNBA titles in 2001 and 2002. He also played 12 seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five championships and being named All-Defensive First Team five times.

Meanwhile the Dream are expected to return the core of a talented roster next year, led by Tiffany Hayes and Brittney Sykes.

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