Sky Dismiss Head Coach Teresa Weatherspoon After One Season, Leaving Angel Reese Upset.
In a surprising decision, the Chicago Sky have dismissed head coach Teresa Weatherspoon after just one season, according to Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times.
One vocal critic of this move is Sky star Angel Reese, who expressed her support for Weatherspoon in a heartfelt statement on X, saying she “didn’t deserve this.” Reese shared her feelings of heartbreak and gratitude, highlighting Weatherspoon’s belief in her during a crucial time in her life.
Weatherspoon, a Hall of Famer as a player, was hired less than a year ago on October 10, 2023, after serving as an assistant coach with the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans. The Chicago Sky confirmed today that Weatherspoon will not continue as head coach for the 2025 season.
According to the Sun-Times, while Sky players showed support for Weatherspoon throughout the season, a disconnect emerged during their exit interviews. Several players pointed out the evolving play style and the challenges of having a first-year head coach.
The Sky are undergoing a rebuild after finishing the regular season with a 13-27 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018 and achieving their worst winning percentage since their inaugural season in 2006. Expectations were low as the team transitioned during the rebuilding phase.
After a first-round exit and the firing of former head coach James Wade, the Sky hoped Weatherspoon could lead a roster, including franchise star Kahleah Copper, back to the WNBA Finals, which they won in 2021. However, Copper requested a trade after the team failed to sign key free agents like Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike.
Ultimately, the Sky traded Copper to the Phoenix Mercury and committed to a full rebuild, allowing former All-Star Courtney Williams to leave in free agency and trading Marina Mabrey during the season.
With veterans gone, the Sky focused on developing young talent, especially Reese and No. 3 overall pick Kamilla Cardoso, along with reclamation project Chennedy Carter. Despite not making the eight-team playoff field, Reese emerged as a league standout, setting a WNBA record with 13.1 rebounds per game.
This situation marks the Sky’s search for their fourth head coach in just three seasons.
