Former Pelicans coach named as new head coach of Chicago Sky

In life, we often have situations happen to us that, in the moment, seem like the worst thing ever. But after some time has passed, they actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise. This is exactly what happened to former New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach Teresa Weatherspoon.

In June, after four seasons with the team, Weatherspoon was let go by the Pelicans. It was sad to see because she was well-liked by the players and even passed up other coaching opportunities to remain with the team.

However, Weatherspoon has bounced back from this bad break beautifully, as on Tuesday, it was reported by basketball insider Shams Charania that the Chicago Sky are finalizing a deal to make her their new head coach.

Along with being an NBA coach, Weatherspoon also has a rich background as a player. She spent eight seasons in the WNBA, earning an All-Star nod in five of them. In 2016, Weatherspoon was named in the WNBA Top 20@20.

This job with the Sky won’t be her first go-around as a head coach. Before her stint with the Pelicans, she spent a half-decade as the captain of the ship for Louisiana Tech University (her alma mater). She also did a coaching stint with the Westchester Phantoms (of the American Basketball Association).

As the article linked above mentions, the Sky are trying to return to championship contention. They won the title in 2021, but they have since lost most of their core contributors from that year. Now, the Sky are planning to bring in a former WNBA legend to help catapult their rise back to the top.

The last time a former female NBA assistant coach transitioned to a head coaching position with the WNBA was when Becky Hammon (formerly of the San Antonio Spurs) joined the Las Vegas Aces back in 2022. Since then, the Aces have gone 60-16 in the regular season, won the title in 2022, and are in the process of doing it again this year (they are currently up 1-0 in the WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty).

It’s safe to say that decision worked out pretty well for the Aces. And given Weatherspoon’s track record, the Sky could be in for similar success under her guidance in the near future.