Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, the father of Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, can often be found courtside at the Staples Center to watch his son's games. Now Kobe can do the same for his dad.
The Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA promoted Joe to the team's head coaching position, replacing departed head coach Jennifer Gillom. Bryant, along with Sandy Brondello, was named an assistant coach for the team in March.
The Sparks are in the midst of a five-game losing streak and sit at 4-6 on the season.
The 56-year-old Bryant previously served as Sparks head coach from August 2005 through the 2006 season. In 2006 the team went 25-9 and reached the Western Conference finals. After being replaced by Michael Cooper in April 2007, he moved to Japan and became head coach of Raru Kamuy Hokkaido.
"Joe's familiarity with the Sparks organization puts us in the best possible position to compete going forward, and should make for a seamless transition," Sparks vice president and general manager Penny Toler told the Los Angeles Times.
The elder Bryant played in the NBA for eight seasons with the 76ers, Clippers and Rockets. He continued his professional career in Italy, where Kobe spent much of his childhood.
