WNBA had largest number of male coaches in league history

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The WNBA had more male head coaches last season than ever, a development the author of an annual diversity study of the league called "a positive sign." "I think for me it was a sign of the WNBA kind of growing into a self-confident organization that is just going to hire the best person available, and if it happens to be a man they're going to give the opportunity to the best person," said study author Richard Lapchick, who annually evaluates the gender and racial diversity of all major pro sports. "I saw it as a positive sign," he said. There were just 15 women assistant coaches in 2006, the lowest total since the league's first few seasons and down from 17 the previous year, according to the report released Tuesday. The number of female vice presidents dipped from 23 in 2005 to 18 in 2006. More WNBA teams were hiring men in several areas, from assistant coach and even trainer, researchers from the University of Central Florida's Institute of Diversity and Ethics in Sport found. Just three head coaches were women in the 2006 season, the lowest total ever. But two more women were hired at the start of the 2007 season -- Karleen Thompson with the Houston Comets and Jenny Boucek with the Sacramento Monarchs -- bringing the total to five, the previous low in 2005. The study did downgrade the league slightly because there were fewer opportunities for women. The league got an A for race but slipped to a B+ for gender. In 2004 and 2005, the WNBA received A's in both categories. Women did gain ground in some areas. Women working in the league office increased from 16 to 33 in 2006, and no men held vice president positions. The number of female team physicians doubled from three in 2005 to six last season. The number of women with an ownership stake in a franchise doubled from two to four after Carla Christofferson and Kathy Goodman replaced Jerry Buss as the owner of the Los Angeles Sparks. The previous two female owners were Colleen J. Maloof and Adrienne Maloof-Nassif, both with Sacramento Monarchs. A WNBA spokesman did not immediately return telephone messages left early Tuesday afternoon seeking comment.