PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Mercury on Saturday named Linda Sharp coach for the remainder of the season and former guard Michele Tims assistant coach.

Sharp was designated as interim coach Wednesday when Cynthia Cooper stepped down. She has a 455-179 record collegiately at Southern California, Southwest Texas, and Concordia University at Austin.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to coach this team, under the circumstances," Sharp said. "I'm going to give it my all and do the most that I can with this team, obviously with the primary goal of making the playoffs."

Phoenix (7-5) is fourth in the Western Conference and suffered an 84-72 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday.

Tims had been serving as a color commentator for the Mercury on radio and television broadcasts. Tims played five seasons for Mercury and retired as the franchise leader in assists (551) and steals (188).

"When I originally came to Phoenix this year I had a three-year plan of working on my broadcasting and cutting my teeth in that area," Tims said. "This opportunity came right our of left field with the resignation of coach Cooper."

Tims also won bronze and silver medals in the Olympics for Australia.

"Coaching wasn't even in the big plan for me the next three years but this opportunity popped up and these opportunities don't come around that often," she added. "I didn't even give coaching a thought but for right here and right now, I'm a good fit for the job because I know the plays, the players and the organization."