MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota – Wittenberg Athletics Hall of Famer Brian Agler '80 won his second WNBA Championship as head coach on Thursday night, as his L.A. Sparks downed the Minnesota Lynx 77-76 in dramatic fashion. The championship title makes Agler the first coach in WNBA history to lead two franchises to league titles, and the former Tiger hardwood standout holds the most victories in the history of American Women's Professional Basketball.
Agler led the Seattle Storm to an WNBA title in 2010, as well as the Columbus Quest to two championships in the defunct American Basketball League. The Sparks' win tonight not only adds to Agler's achievements, but also brings L.A. an WNBA title after nearly 14 years.
A 1995 Wittenberg Athletics Hall of Honor inductee and the men's basketball program's career assists leader for more than 15 years, ranked second with 481 assists, Agler's collegiate playing career included 112 straight starts for the Tigers. He led Wittenberg to a four-year record of 91-21, highlighted by a run to the NCAA Division III tournament championship in 1977.
"Brian exemplifies what it means to 'Tiger Up' and is an example of how the right combination of heart, passion, and technical knowledge can lead an organization and its people to accomplish great things," said Gary Williams, director of athletics.
"Personally and professionally, Brian has become a mentor and friend to me and many of our coaches and we could not be prouder of him for what he has accomplished on the court and what he means to our university."
The 2010 WNBA Coach of the year and 2016 AP Coach of the year is no stranger to the campus he once called home; Agler has been a regular in Springfield long after his playing days. During the 2015-16 academic school year, Agler made recurring trips back to campus to spend time with the athletic staff and share his philosophies, struggles, and experiences with other Tigers.
"Seeing the success that Brian has pursued and achieved is exciting for our athletic department and university as a whole. To see him at the highest level of our sport as a recognized leader in the WNBA provides great inspiration. Even better is how Brian has come back to his alma mater to share his experiences with our coaches and students; I appreciate how he identifies the value of his Wittenberg education as a core part of success," said head women's basketball coach, Sarah Jurewicz.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) October 21, 2016
NBATV: .LA_Sparks head coach Brian Agler speaks on the season & winning the WNBA title https://t.co/iNlRIGtFPN https://t.co/GaZdSNThlX #N…
— Instant NBA Updates (@InstaNBAUpdates) October 21, 2016
What a game @LA_Sparks ! @brian_agler is a WNBA Champion! #TigerUp pic.twitter.com/28gwtY89VB
— Wittenberg Athletics (@WittAthletics) October 21, 2016
Way to #TigerUp @brian_agler @LA_Sparks @NCAADIII Champion.... @WNBA Champion...The Wittenberg Way! pic.twitter.com/2n4ntGXLPy
— Wittenberg Athletics (@WittAthletics) October 21, 2016
Brian Agler tried to hide, now he's soaked in champagne. pic.twitter.com/y0xYwmJ7Kf
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) October 21, 2016