WASHINGTON (TICKER) — Tree Rollins, who guided the WNBA’s Washington Mystics to a 15-14 record last season after taking over on an interim basis, was named the team’s full-time coach on Tuesday.

Rollins replaced former coach Richie Adubato, who resigned in July after the Mystics dropped four of their first five games.

Washington finished the regular season 16-18 and just missed qualifying for the postseason, losing a tiebreaker to the New York Libery for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

“We felt that Tree took over the team during a tough situation and our players responded to his coaching style,” Mystics general manager Linda Hargrove said. “We think that he has earned the opportunity to coach our team and lead us to a championship.”

Rollins also has been an assistant coach in the NBA with the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic.

“I am elated to be the coach of the Washington Mystics,” said Rollins, who joined the Mystics in 2006 as an assistant coach. “I think that with the talent and leadership that we have returning to our team, we should be able to be one of the most competitive teams in the WNBA.”

Rollins had an 18-year playing career in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons and Magic.