Top 4 candidates to replace Teresa Weatherspoon as Chicago Sky head coach

Chicago Sky v Indiana Fever - Source: Getty — Teresa Weatherspoon was dismissed by the Chicago Sky after an underwhelming season - Image Source: Getty

The Chicago Sky are looking for a new head coach following the dismissal of Teresa Weatherspoon after only one season. Under Weatherspoon, the Sky recorded a dismal 13-27 record in the 2024 WNBA season.

Despite being in playoff contention at one point, the team ended the season with five straight losses, ultimately missing out on the final playoff position to the Atlanta Dream. This marked the first occasion the Chicago Sky missed the playoffs since 2018.

The season under Weatherspoon was tumultuous, impacted by injuries to Angel Reese and Chennedy Carter, along with the trade of Marina Mabrey. Mabrey has since become a significant asset for the Connecticut Sun after requesting a trade from the Sky.

With Weatherspoon's exit, here are four potential candidates for the Chicago Sky coaching role.

Top 4 candidates for Chicago Sky head coaching job

#1. Sheryl Swoopes

Swoopes is regarded as one of the legends of women’s basketball. She was the inaugural player signed to the WNBA, won three league MVP awards and four championships, and was honored as one of the WNBA's Top 15 Players of All Time at the 2011 WNBA All-Star Game.

After her playing career, Swoopes moved into coaching and analysis. In 2010, she served as an assistant basketball coach at Mercer Island High School in Washington.

Swoopes took on her first head coaching role at Loyola University Chicago in 2013 but was dismissed in 2016 following allegations of player mistreatment after several athletes attempted to transfer.

Later, she returned to Texas Tech University, her alma mater, initially as the director of player development before becoming an assistant coach for the women's basketball team.

She maintains a strong connection with Chicago Sky star Angel Reese and guest-starred on Reese's podcast.

#2. Cynthia Cooper-Dyke

Cynthia Cooper-Dyke is a two-time WNBA MVP who led the Houston Comets to four consecutive championships, earning Finals MVP honors each time. She was named to the All-WNBA First Team four times and was the league’s leading scorer for three seasons.

In April 2019, she was appointed head coach of the Texas Southern Lady Tigers basketball team. She has also coached at USC, UNC Wilmington and Prairie View A&M.

Her collegiate coaching career concluded amid controversy due to allegations of sexual harassment and verbal abuse against her.

#3. Curt Miller

Curt Miller began his coaching career at Bowling Green State University in 2001, achieving a notable 258-92 record and earning six Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year accolades, including a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2006.

After a short period at Indiana University, Miller entered the WNBA, initially as an assistant coach for the LA Sparks in 2015, before taking over as head coach of the Connecticut Sun in 2016.

In six seasons with the Sun, he led the team to six playoff appearances and two WNBA Finals, winning the WNBA Coach of the Year award twice.

He joined the Sparks as head coach in October 2022 but was let go after two seasons, finishing with a combined record of 25-55 and a disappointing 8-32 in 2024.

His wealth of WNBA experience could be beneficial for the Chicago Sky.

#4. Natalie Nakase

Natalie Nakase is a player-turned-coach. She is an assistant for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA and previously served as an assistant coach for the LA Clippers.

Nakase spent a year working under the Clippers' video team and later became assistant video coordinator.

During the 2014 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nakase made history as the first woman to sit on the bench as an NBA assistant coach for the Clippers. In 2022, she was a finalist for the Phoenix Mercury head coaching position.

Edited by Arvind Sriram