WNBA's Lynx changes coaches

MINNEAPOLIS, July 16 (UPI) -- Brian Agler, the only coach the Minnesota Lynx have ever had, stepped down Tuesday and was replaced by assistant Heidi VanDerveer.

Agler will remain in his role as general manager. Kelly Kramer will continue in her role as an assistant to VanDerveer, who takes over a team mired in a five-game losing streak.

"After many discussions with (owner) Glen Taylor over the WNBA All-Star break, we reached a decision that it was in the team's best interest to make a coaching change," Lynx chief operating officer Roger Griffith said. "We believe he will make a positive contribution to this organization in the role of general manager."

Agler was 48-67 with the Lynx. He was hired by the WNBA expansion franchise in November 1998 after leading the Columbus Quest of the now-defunct American Basketball League to consecutive championships.

The Lynx have never made the postseason and will have a tough time breaking through this year. Despite the presence of 2001 WNBA scoring champion Katie Smith, they are 6-13 and in seventh place in the eight-team Western Conference, 4 1/2 games out of the final playoff spot.

"It's a tough situation for everyone," VanDerveer said. "In the world of professional sports, sometimes it's easy to forget that we're dealing with people and their lives. Our goal now is to be professionals, compete at the highest level and represent our franchise accordingly.

VanDerveer has 15 years of women's basketball coaching experience, including a brief stint with the Sacramento Monarchs. She was an assistant in the league's inaugural 1997 season before taking over for the final 13 games, going 5-8. She was 8-22 the following season before being relieved of her duties.

VanDerveer's debut as coach of the Lynx will be a home game Wednesday against Cleveland.