By Sports Savvy Magazine
The Chicago Sky made a bold move last offseason by hiring Hall of Famer Theresa Weatherspoon as their head coach. Less than a year later, the organization shocked fans and analysts alike by parting ways with her. On paper, the decision might be explained away by wins and losses. But when you look deeper, the Sky may have made a mistake that goes beyond basketball.
A Leader With Proven Experience
Weatherspoon isn’t just a former WNBA star—she’s a pioneer of the women’s game. Her leadership qualities, competitive fire, and track record of developing players made her an ideal candidate to guide a rebuilding Sky team. Beyond X’s and O’s, she brought credibility and respect that could command a locker room and inspire a young roster.
A Role Model For Angel Reese
The biggest reason the Sky should have stuck with Weatherspoon? Angel Reese. As a rookie thrust into the spotlight, Reese has faced relentless criticism—sometimes fair, often unfair. The media has dissected her every move, from her outspoken personality to her playing style.
That’s exactly where Weatherspoon could have made the most significant impact. She’s been there before. She knows the weight of expectations and the pressure of being a standard-bearer for women’s basketball. Having a coach like T-Spoon in her corner could have helped Angel navigate the noise, block out the negativity, and focus on growing her game.
More Than Wins and Losses
Yes, professional sports are a results-driven business. But the Sky weren’t just hiring Weatherspoon to chase immediate wins—they were setting the foundation for the future. A rookie like Reese, along with other young talents, needed a mentor as much as a strategist. Development, culture, and stability are what sustain franchises. Removing a coach after such a short stint sends the opposite message.
The Sky Missed an Opportunity
By letting go of Weatherspoon, the Chicago Sky lost more than a coach. They lost a bridge between the old school and the new era of the WNBA. They lost a mentor who could have steadied their young stars through adversity. Most importantly, they lost someone who could have molded Angel Reese—not just into an All-Star, but into the face of the franchise.
In hindsight, this firing may come back to haunt the Sky. Wins will come and go, but culture and leadership are what build dynasties. And in Theresa Weatherspoon, they had both.