Rollins out as Mystics head coach, Kenlaw takes over
by Keith Henry

After back-to-back huge losses to New York 77-56 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night and a 99-62 pummeling against Detroit last night at the Verizon Center, the Washington Mystics decided to relieve head coach Tree Rollins of his coaching duties today.

This was 22 games into Rollins' first full year as the Mystics head coach. Something didn't click within his team and Mystics management must have read the writing on the wall.

Rollins earned the head coaching job this year by guiding the Mystics to within an eyelash of making the playoffs after previous head coach Richie Adubato retired during last season a little after the Mystics lost their first eight games of the 2007 season.

Jessie Kenlaw takes over as the head coach in Sunday's game against Seattle at the Verizon Center. Kenlaw is a fiery lady who knows the game very well. Mystics general manager Linda Hargrove said in a press release, “We appreciate all of Tree’s efforts on behalf of the Mystics and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said Hargrove. “We feel that Jessie’s high energy and discipline approach to the game will inspire our team.”

The Mystics seem in need of some inspiration to make a run to the playoffs. Will Kenlaw prove to be the answer? Is this the kick in the pants the Mystics need in order to wake up from their recent miserable play and find some consistency? It's up to those 13 ladies in the locker room to ultimately answer that question. Coach Rollins, Kenlaw or Crystal Robinson can't step on the court and play for them.

It's time for the Mystics to wake up, step up to the plate and produce if they want to advance to the playoffs in mid-September.