Chicago Sky GM gives blunt response to firing Teresa Weatherspoon after one year

After just one season, the Chicago Sky elected to move on from head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. The Sky's front office announced the decision on September 27 after missing the WNBA playoffs for the first time in six seasons. The Sky went 13-27 in the regular season, winning just three of their 16 games after returning from All-Star break.

On Wednesday afternoon, Chicago Sky General Manager Jeff Pagliocca broke the silence on the team's decision to part ways with Teresa Weatherspoon.

"First, I want to say that I have a lot of respect for [Teresa Weatherspoon]," Pagliocca prefaced. "[We're] very appreciative of the competitive teams, the resiliency, the spirit she brought to us every night. Look guys, as an organization we just felt it was time to make a change."

Pagliocca also discussed his relationship with Teresa Weatherspoon, stating, "I don't think [Teresa] was difficult to work with. Not at all." He also added the front office was looking for "structure, discipline and accountability," and that the interest in the head coaching job is immense.

Chicago Sky stars react to Teresa Weatherspoon's firing

The decision to fire Weatherspoon received some criticism. The Sky's rookie phenom Angel Reese stated she was "heartbroken" and felt Weatherspoon "didn't deserve" to be fired in a heartfelt post to X.

"I'm heartbroken. I'm literally lost for words knowing what this woman meant to me at such a pivotal point in my life. She was the only person that believed in me. That trusted me. Many don't even know what it's like to be a black woman in sports when nobody believes in you. You had a tough job. All the crazy circumstances that we went through this year [and] when your back was against the wall, you always believed."

Reese also called Weatherspoon an "unsung hero" in her life in her post about her former coach.

Reese wasn't the only Sky player to react to Weatherspoon's firing, as Chennedy Carter took to Instagram to show her appreciation for her former coach. She posted a story quoting Tupac's 'Dear Mama' along with a teaspoon emoji, referencing Weatherspoon's nickname.

Image credits: Via @chennedycarter on Instagram

You are appreciated. Lady don't you know we love ya," Carter posted to her story following the news of Weatherspoon's firing.

Carter, who played her first season with the Chicago Sky, had an impressive season as she averaged new career-highs with 17.5 points on 49% shooting and 3.5 rebounds per game.