Chicago Sky Shake Things Up Teresa Weatherspoon Fired After Disappointing Season

In a surprising move, the Chicago Sky have announced the firing of head coach Teresa Weatherspoon after just one season, according to multiple sources, including the Chicago Sun-Times’ Annie Costabile. The decision comes on the heels of a disappointing 13-27 season, where the team finished sixth in the WNBA’s Eastern Conference.

A Promising Start, A Disappointing Finish

The Sky showed early promise, sitting at 11-15 after a victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on August 17. At that point, they held the No. 8 seed in the WNBA Playoff race, trailing the No. 7 Indiana Fever by just half a game. However, a dramatic late-season collapse saw the team win only two of their final 14 games, ultimately leading to their exclusion from playoff contention.

Key factors in the downturn included inconsistent shooting and injuries to pivotal players, most notably rookie forward Angel Reese.

Weatherspoon’s Journey From Player to Coach

Teresa Weatherspoon was hired on October 12, 2023, following the departure of former head coach and general manager James Wade. Prior to joining the Sky, she served as an assistant coach for the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans for three seasons, where she focused on player development.

Weatherspoon boasts a rich history in basketball, having been a standout player at Louisiana Tech, where she served as head coach for six seasons. She was also a pioneering figure in the WNBA, earning five All-Star selections and winning back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards in the league’s early years.

As the Sky enter a new chapter, the search for a new head coach will be critical in revitalizing the team and returning to playoff contention. With a mix of young talent and experienced players, the right leadership could make all the difference in the coming seasons.

Stay tuned for updates on the Chicago Sky’s coaching search and offseason developments as they work to bounce back from this challenging year.