El Segundo, CA (My Sportsbook) - The Los Angeles Sparks named former NBA star Henry Bibby as their new head coach on Thursday.

Bibby, who had success coaching the USC men's squad, was fired after just four games into the 2004-05 season with the Trojans. He left USC with an overall record of 131-111 and guided the school to the NCAA tournament three times, including a surprise trip to the Elite Eight in 2001.

However, back-to-back .500 seasons by USC led to his dismissal. Bibby, who is the father of Sacramento Kings point guard Mike Bibby, takes over for Michael Cooper after he left the team to pursue an assistant position with the NBA's Denver Nuggets on July 6, 2004.

Cooper had a stellar head-coaching run with the Sparks, as he led the team to a 116-31 regular-season record with four playoff appearances in four- plus seasons.

The Sparks captured back-to-back championships in 2001 and '02 and also made the WNBA Finals three consecutive seasons.

"After an extensive search we are glad to announce that we have selected Henry Bibby as the new Sparks Head Coach," Sparks general manager Penny Toler said. "He is a proven winner on all levels and we are confident that he will lead us to our next championship. We are thrilled to have him join our team and welcome him to the Sparks family."

Henry Bibby holds the rare distinction of being the only player to win a championship title with the NCAA (UCLA), CBA (Lancaster Lightning) and the NBA (New York Knicks). He played for four teams in his NBA career, reaching the NBA finals on three occasions.

"I'm excited to be the coach and I'm happy to be in a position where I am wanted and where basketball comes first," said Bibby. I'm just happy to be with an organization like the Sparks. I don't think there is a better organization and I'm excited about it."

The elder Bibby inherits a highly successful Sparks team as Los Angeles finished the 2004 season with a solid 25-9 mark, but was bounced in the first round of the playoffs by Sacramento.

Los Angeles will tip of its 2005 campaign on the road, May 21st against the Seattle Storm.