Sparks’ Cooper talking to USC

Sparks Coach Michael Cooper is having discussions with USC about becoming the Trojans’ women’s basketball coach, Sparks co-owner Carla Christofferson confirmed today.

“From our perspective, he’s under contract to coach our season,” Christofferson said. “We’ve confirmed with him he’s coaching our 2009 season.”

The WNBA regular season runs from June through mid-September. USC’s regular season starts in mid-November.

Christofferson said Cooper told her “very recently, in the last day or so” of his intention to talk with USC officials. She said she didn’t know whether an offer had been made. Cooper could not be reached for comment and there was no immediate confirmation from USC officials.

Upon Cooper’s hiring in 2007, Christofferson told The Times he had a one-year contract that included an option for two more seasons. Cooper has said the contract includes an opt-out clause.

Christofferson wouldn’t discuss details of Cooper’s contract, saying only, “There’s not anything that will allow him out during the season.”

She added, “There’s things he can consider outside of the active season.”

USC is seeking to replace Mark Trakh, who resigned April 8. Trakh had a record of 90-64 in five seasons. The Trojans reached the NCAA tournament his first two seasons but not in the last three.

Cooper won WNBA championships with the Sparks in 2001 and 2002, then left midway through the 2004 season to accept a three-year contract as an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets. He was interim coach of the Nuggets after Jeff Bzdelik was fired in December 2004, but was soon replaced by George Karl. Cooper then accepted a buyout of his contract after being demoted to a scouting position.

He coached the Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the NBA Development League for two seasons before returning to the Sparks in 2007. He has never worked in college sports.

The Sparks are loaded with talent, and are among the preseason WNBA title favorites.

Co-owner Christofferson didn’t sound pleased that she first heard of Cooper’s interest in USC from reporters.

“Kathy and I are into honesty and dealing with things up front,” she said, referring to co-owner Kathy Goodman. “We like to know things before finding out things from all of you guys, no offense.”

Times staff writer Gary Klein contributed to this report.

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mark.medina@latimes.com