The Chicago Sky have fired head coach Teresa Weatherspoon after only one season with the team the club announced Friday.
Weatherspoon, who was hired on October 12th 2023, led the Sky to a 13-27 record as the team missed out on the postseason for the first time since 2018. The first year head coach saw her team’s playoff hopes dashed after going a dismal 3-13 post Olympic break to fall out of contention.
“After careful consideration, we have decided it is in the best interest of the organization to part ways with head coach Teresa Weatherspoon,” Sky co-owner and operating chairman Nadi Rawlinson said in a statement. “We are deeply appreciative of Coach TSpoon’s contributions to the Chicago Sky, and the energy and passion she brought to the head coaching role.”
Sky forward Angel Reese took to social media in the aftermath of the firing to thank her former coach for her contributions in her rookie season. “I’m heartbroken,” Reese said on Twitter/X, “I’m 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. Many don’t even know what it’s 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. I’ll never question God why he brings people in my life and takes them away from me in the capacity that I need them but i’ve always believed everyone is in your life for a reason and a season. You were the best reason & season. You didn’t deserve this but I can’t thank you enough. I love you Tspoon.”
Weatherspoon becomes the 2nd WNBA head coach to be relieved of their duties since the regular season ended, alongside former LA Sparks coach Curt Miller.
The former WNBA veteran hasn’t announced what her future plans are, however she should have a bevy of options in front of her should she wish to remain connected to the game. Having previously coached at her alma mater, Louisiana Tech, and having NBA experience with the New Orleans Pelicans, Weatherspoon would be on a short list of potential coaching hires for multiple vacancies across the sport.
Photo: Jason Grohoske. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.