AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Detroit Shock coach Bill Laimbeer was voted WNBA's coach of the year, and Shock forward Cheryl Ford was selected rookie of the year Sunday.

Also, Houston's Michelle Snow was selected as the league's most improved player and Comets teammate Sheryl Swoopes was named defensive player of the year for the second straight season and third time in four years.

Laimbeer, who led the Shock to a league-best 25-9 record this season after a 9-10 mark in 2002, received 45 of 54 votes from a panel of sports writers and broadcasters.

"At the end of last year, I already thought we were one of the best teams in the East,'' Laimbeer said. "Then we were able to add Cheryl and Ruth Riley, and I knew that we had a chance to win the East.''

The Shock set a league record with a 16-victory improvement over 2002.

"I think this award is a reflection of how hard Bill has us working,'' Swin Cash said. "People don't realize how passionate about the sport he still is -- they might have thought he lost his edge when he quit playing, but he didn't.''

Ford, the daughter of NBA star Karl Malone, became the first rookie in league history to average a double-double with 10.8 points and 10.4 rebounds. She received 49 out of 54 votes.

"Cheryl has tremendous skills -- she's what the power-forward position is evolving into in this league,'' Laimbeer said. "She's a great rebounder, and she was well-protected by Ruth and Swin. It helps her a lot that she got to play between two fine players like that.''

Ford admitted being nervous coming into the league, but said she was calmed by her early success.

"When I was able to play hard and get double-doubles in a lot of games, I knew I could play at this level,'' she said.

Swoopes, who received 35 of a possible 54 votes, Swoopes led the WNBA in steals this season with 2.48 per game and now ranks second on the WNBA's all-time steals list with 407 in her six-year career. Swoopes' defensive prowess also helped the Comets lead the league in fewest points allowed per game at 63.0.

As the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, Swoopes will receive a Tiffany-designed trophy and $5,000.

Snow, who received 22 of 53 votes, averaged 9.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and shot 49.8 percent from the field. She also set a team record with 62 blocked shots.

As a rookie in 2002, Snow averaged 3.9 points and 3.7 rebounds.