The Chicago Sky made a shocking move one week after their regular season came to an end.
According to Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times, the organization has fired head coach Teresa Weatherspoon after only one season. The Sky hired the WNBA HOFer and New Orleans Pelicans assistant less than a year ago in what many considered to be a strong move.
Chicago was in desperate need of a head coach who could help establish a new identity. Weatherspoon, who was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year with her fair share of coaching experience, felt like the exact kind of person who could do just that. The Sky, however, have decided after one year that she isn’t the one for the job. And they will now have some explaining to do.
Weatherspoon only narrowly missed the postseason with the organization’s rebuilding roster. In fact, the team likely would’ve made at least a first-round series if the front office hadn’t traded Marina Mabrey at the deadline and Angel Reese hadn’t suffered a season-ending injury. With that being the case, it sure is a head-scratcher that they decided not to give Weatherspoon another chance.
For what it’s worth, Costabile reports that exit interviews played a role in the franchise’s decision:
“Players were outwardly supportive of Weatherspoon throughout the year. However, during exit interviews, it became apparent there was some disconnect. Multiple players noted the changing play style throughout the year and mentioned the learning curve of being a first-year coach.”
Regardless, is this really reason enough to pursue your fourth coach in three seasons? Especially when the team’s most important building block seemed to be on her side? Indeed, Angel Reese quickly took to social media to express her sadness about the Sky’s decision.
“Iโm heartbroken. Iโm literally lost for words knowing what this woman meant to me in such a pivotal point in my life. She was the only person that believed in me. The one that trusted me,” Reese said. “Many donโt even know what itโs like to be a black women in sports when nobody believes in you. You had a tough job. All the crazy circumstances that we went through this year & when your back was against the wall, you always believed. I came to Chicago because of YOU. You were an unsung hero in my life. We built a relationship in a short amount of time that will last forever. Iโll never question God why he brings people in my life and takes them away from me in the capacity that I need them but iโve always believed everyone is in your life for a reason and a season. You were the best reason & season. You didnโt deserve this but I canโt thank you enough. I love you Tspoon.”
Again, the Sky have A LOT of explaining to do this offseason. Things have been extremely rough since they won their first title in 2021, and this certainly doesn’t make it feel like they’re on the up-and-up.