Tyler Marsh is the Chicago Sky’s new head coach, as reported by ESPN on Saturday, following in the footsteps of Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon’s assistants taking the lead of a WNBA team.
The Sky terminated Teresa Weatherspoon in September after only one season, a decision that Chicago rookie forward Angel Reese expressed disappointment about on social media. The reasoning behind this move was not clearly provided by the Sky leadership. In appointing Marsh, the Sky is hopeful that he will bring some of the Aces’ successful strategies with him.
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Marsh will become the fourth coach for the Sky since 2023, when James Wade left the team midway through the season to join the Toronto Raptors as an assistant. Emre Vatansever, Wade’s assistant, filled in as an interim coach for Chicago but was not kept on after achieving an 11-13 record and seeing the Sky exit the playoffs in the first round. Weatherspoon was hired in October 2023, only to be dismissed less than a year later.
Similar to Natalie Nakase, who was appointed as the head coach of the Golden State Valkyries on October 10, Marsh spent the past three seasons as part of Hammon’s coaching staff, celebrating WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023. In Las Vegas, Marsh oversaw player development and was recognized for his expertise in assisting players in enhancing specific aspects of their game.
The Sky, led by forwards Reese and Cardoso, along with guard Carter, finished in 10th place with a record of 13-27 this season, missing out on the playoffs. However, Reese and Cardoso both made it to the WNBA All-Rookie team, and Carter showcased her best performance since her debut season. The Sky holds two first-round picks in the 2025 draft, including one in the lottery, hinting at the arrival of more young talent.
With Stephanie White securing the Indiana job on Friday and Marsh attaining the Chicago position on Saturday, the remaining coaching vacancies are for the Atlanta Dream, Connecticut Sun, Dallas Wings, Los Angeles Sparks, and Washington Mystics. Expansion teams Portland and Toronto will have open coaching spots in 2026.
ESPN reporters Alexa Philippou, Kevin Pelton, and Michael Voepel delve into Marsh’s appointment and its implications for the Sky and the Aces.
What situation is Marsh inheriting in Chicago? What are his priorities as he takes over the Sky?
Philippou: The Sky faced a turbulent 2024 season with lingering roster uncertainties as half of their team became free agents, including key player Chennedy Carter (a restricted free agent).
Despite this, Marsh and general manager Jeff Pagliocca will focus on developing 2024 first-round picks Reese and Cardoso as the foundation of the team. The Sky also possess a lottery pick in the upcoming 2025 draft, though they won’t have the first overall pick due to a swap with Dallas. Marsh and Pagliocca’s backgrounds in player development will greatly benefit Reese, Cardoso, and potentially Carter in their early professional careers.
Chicago secured the WNBA championship in 2021, but stability has been elusive since then, with the championship core departing for other teams and more recently, the swift dismissal of Weatherspoon. Restoring stability and guiding the team back to the playoffs are major objectives for Marsh, along with enhancing the team’s lackluster offense. Spacing the floor with shooters to support the young post players will be a key strategy for Pagliocca and Marsh.
Reese seemed to endorse the hiring by posting a cryptic tweet shortly after the news broke.
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Voepel: Reese’s exceptional rebounding skills were immediately evident in the WNBA, leading the league with an average of 13.1 rebounds per game. However, her field goal percentage of 39.1% needs improvement. Marsh’s proficiency in individual skill development as an assistant coach suggests that he will continue to focus on enhancing player skills as a head coach. Reese averaged 13.6 points, a number that is expected to rise with more efficient shooting.
The 6-foot-7 Cardoso averaged 9.8 points and 7.9 rebounds while shooting 52.1% from the field, displaying untapped offensive potential.
The Sky recently initiated construction on a new practice facility, which has become a vital asset for WNBA teams looking to retain players successfully and attract free agents. Marsh’s ability to nurture Chicago’s young talents will make the franchise more appealing to prospective players.
What was Marsh’s primary role in Las Vegas, and what is he best known for?
Pelton: Marsh unofficially holds a 1-0 record as a head coach, leading the Aces to a dominant 41-point victory over the Seattle Storm in their 2023 season opener during Becky Hammon’s two-game suspension (Nakase coached the second win during this period).
Although the victory is credited to Hammon in her coaching record, it was a memorable moment for Marsh, with his family, including his father Donnie, a seasoned men’s college basketball coach who previously coached at Alabama A&M and Florida International, present.
Marsh’s journey to becoming a WNBA head coach involved stints in men’s college basketball, the G League, and the NBA. Before joining the Aces, he won an NBA championship as an assistant video coordinator and player development coach with the 2018-19 Toronto Raptors. He also spent two seasons as a player development coach with the Indiana Pacers.
All-Star guard Jackie Young was a success story of Marsh’s player development role in Las Vegas. Originally a non-shooter, Young worked with Marsh to extend her shooting range after making only 22 3-pointers in her first three WNBA seasons. In the subsequent three seasons, Young significantly improved, averaging nearly 70 3-pointers at an impressive 40% conversion rate.
This kind of skill advancement will be vital for a Chicago team that only averaged 4.8 3-pointers per game last season, the lowest in the WNBA and nearly half of what the Aces achieved in 2024 (9.4).
Marsh is the second Aces assistant to depart Las Vegas this offseason. What are the implications for the Aces and Becky Hammon?
Pelton: The departures of both Marsh and Nakase were expected following the Aces’ triumphs, securing back-to-back championships in Hammon’s initial two seasons as head coach. Although having both Marsh and Nakase secure head coaching opportunities at the same time is not ideal, Las Vegas can rely on Hammon and assistant coach Charlene Thomas-Swinson to maintain the team culture while grooming a new crop of assistant coaches.
It will be interesting to see who Hammon selects to replace Marsh and Nakase. Both were recruited from NBA teams, reflecting Hammon’s connections within the league after her tenure as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs and the style she intended for the Aces to adopt. Owing to Hammon’s influence, WNBA tactics now closely align with the NBA’s strategies compared to three years ago, potentially allowing Hammon to look within the WNBA ranks for her next hires.
Voepel: Over the past three weeks, the Aces have lost two assistant coaches and parted ways with general manager Natalie Williams. While the team remains strong for the upcoming 2025 season, the empty positions and impending free agency of starting guard Kelsey Plum introduce some uncertainty for the Aces this off-season compared to previous years.
