Katie Smith named coach of the New York Liberty

Katie Smith couldn't think of a better place to get her first chance to become a head coach than New York.

Smith will take over the Liberty, the team announced Monday. She's been an assistant with New York since retiring from the WNBA in 2013 and was promoted to associated head coach in 2016. She takes over for Bill Laimbeer, who served as the coach from 2013-17.

"I'm really, really excited about having an opportunity," Smith said in a phone interview. "Having the opportunity in New York, that's only place I've coached. All of us understood for the last few years, we'd be heading this way at some point. When it was, was always the question. Bill has earned every right to choose where and when deservedly so."

A person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press that Laimbeer left to become head coach and general manager with the San Antonio Stars after they are sold and relocated. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because no official announcement has been made.

Smith inherits a solid team that has finished with the league's third best record the past two seasons but lost in its opening playoff game each year. It is led by Tina Charles, Epiphanny Prince and Sugar Rodgers.

The 43-year-old Smith is among a handful of former players to make the jump to head coach. She's also the third coaching hire in the league this offseason, joining Laimbeer and Dan Hughes, who was hired by Seattle. The Atlanta Dream still have an opening.

Smith had a stellar 17-year playing career in the WNBA and ABL. She is fifth on the WNBA scoring list and won two titles with the Detroit Shock, earning finals MVP honors in 2008.