The Chicago Sky’s attempt at winning back-to-back WNBA titles ended in 2022 and they have been unstable ever since.
Three head coaches have come and gone since then, including former head coach Teresa Weatherspoon, who was dismissed last season after just one year in the hot-seat.
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The Sky have a new head coach in Tyler MarshCredit: Getty
The 13-27 Sky failed to make the playoffs last season and rookie phenom Angel Reese missed the final few games with a wrist issue that required surgery.
Forward Reese is a double-double machine who, along with longtime rival Caitlin Clark, is the brightest spark in the WNBA.
Understandably, the Sky are desperate to maximise their championship window with a mercurial talent like Reese on their roster, which is why they’ve appointed the highly-regarded Tyler Marsh to be their next head coach.
The 37-year-old is the man tasked with making Reese a WNBA champion and restoring glory back to Chicago.
Marsh arrives at the Sky with a wealth of coaching experience under his belt, boasting experience across both NBA and WNBA teams.
The Florida-native won his first and only NBA championship in 2019 as an assistant under Nick Nurse with the Toronto Raptors. Following that, he spent two years with the Indiana Pacers under Rick Carlisle.
Marsh also brings WNBA championship experience to the table having been an assistant coach with the Las Vegas Aces, where he celebrated two WNBA titles as an assistant coach alongside Becky Hammon.
Marsh played a crucial role in helping the Aces secure back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023.
In addition to being an assistant coach, his title included head of player development, and he is widely credited with helping the likes of A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young advance their games.
The Sky view that as a major strength as they look to turn rookies like Reese and Kamilla Cardoso into bona fide champions.
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Marsh is a two-time WNBA champion as an assistant with the Las Vegas AcesCredit: Get
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He’s worked closely with stars like Young (left) – which bodes well for Reese and the SkyCredit: Getty
Reese was quick to take to social media to celebrate Marsh’s appointment when it was announced, first simply tweeting: ‘W.’
Aces player Sydney Colson replied saying: “Excuse me?! We’re grieving, have some respect!” to which Reese said: “Sorry but your time is UP. It’s our turn! I’ll send you some tissue tho sister girl unless you want to come join this side too.”
Reese is now at the center of Chicago’s future plans, with the team likely to be built around her in their hunt for a world championship ring.
There’s a lot to like about the 6ft 3in star’s game, but there’s also areas to improve, like her long-range shooting.
During an interview on the ‘No Cap Space WBB’ podcast, Marsh discussed what stood out to him about Reese last season.
“I think she handled her rookie year great,” Marsh said. “I mean, you set a record in rebounding and, to me, it’s still amazing that people kind of undervalue and undersell just what that was for a rookie.
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Reese had a stellar rookie campaign in 2024 after being drafted No. 7 overallCredit: Getty
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“I think it’s kind of unfair, not just to Angel but a lot of the rookies in the W, they’re expected to do so much in so little time. They’re not given the grace to grow,” Marsh continued.
“We can’t take for granted just what Angel was able to do in her rookie year. And… she’s a winner. She’s doubted almost every year of her life and her career, and she continued to overcome, and that’s something you can build on.”
He added of Reese’s game, “There’s a lot there to build upon. She hasn’t even scratched the surface yet of what I believe her potential could be.”
Reese ultimately lost out on Rookie of the Year honors to Clark, but it was still a record-breaking debut season.
The 22-year-old set the WNBA record for the most consecutive double-doubles in a season with 15, set the WNBA record for the most double-doubles by a rookie with 26, and set the WNBA record for the most single-season rebounds with 446 (later broken by A’ja Wilson).
After playing in a professional 3-vs-3 league in January, Reese will spearhead an exciting Sky team heading into the 2025 season with championship aspirations.
She’ll be front and center of Marsh’s new project, joined by the No. 3 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft after Chicago won the pick in the recent WNBA Draft Lottery.
As well as the No. 3 pick, the Sky also have the 10th pick of the 2025 WNBA Draft.
