Vanderveer Promoted To Head Coach In Wnba Sacramento Elevates The Ex-Ewu Coach After Firing Her Boss Following 5-10 Start

The Sacramento Monarchs of the WNBA fired coach Mary Murphy on Monday, replacing her with assistant coach Heidi VanDerveer.

Murphy also held the title of general manager, a job that will go to former Sacramento Kings head coach Jerry Reynolds.

Yvette Angel, a former player, will become an assistant coach.

“We decided a change was necessary for the team and at the halfway mark of the season, we believe there is time to refocus and make a run for one of the four playoff positions,” Monarchs president Rick Benner said.

“The combination of Jerry’s competitive sports background and his long history as part of our organization, along with Heidi and her positive rapport with the players, we feel will create a basis for a successful basketball operation.”

The Monarchs were 5-10 under Murphy, 39, who was hired in April after two seasons at California State University, Hayward.

VanDerveer, 33, joined the Monarchs in April after three seasons as the women’s head coach at Eastern Washington University. The younger sister of Stanford women’s head coach Tara VanDerveer compiled a 24-55 record at EWU, including 5-21 last season.

At the time of her hiring as an assistant with the Monarchs, VanDerveer said, “I’m very excited to be working with the highest level of women’s basketball players.”

Of leaving EWU, she added: “This is an opportunity to be in the best situation.”

Reynolds will continue as director of player personnel and a TV color analyst for the Kings.

The firing is the second in this inaugural year of the WNBA. The Los Angeles Sparks fired Linda Sharp on July 16 and replaced her with assistant Julie Rousseau. The Sparks were 4-7 when they fired Sharp and are now 7-10.