It’s official, folks! Tyler Marsh has taken the reins as the new head coach of the Chicago Sky, in what some may call a bold step for the franchise—and a potential golden ticket to revive their championship dreams. The ink is barely dry on the multiyear deal that Marsh’s agent, Andy Miller of Klutch Sports, confirmed late Saturday night, and fans are already buzzing. The Sky’s front office made it clear they’re aiming high, stating, “Coach Marsh is widely respected for the development of elite players and shares our goal of being a playoff and championship contender every year.” Ambitious? Yes. Realistic? We’ll see.
Marsh, formerly an assistant coach with the powerhouse Las Vegas Aces, is known for his wizardry in player development—something Chicago sorely needs. He’s inheriting a Sky squad with young stars Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, both fresh first-round picks ready to make their mark. But let’s not forget, this team narrowly missed the playoffs last season after a bumpy 13-27 finish and a few untimely injuries. Their star, Chennedy Carter, along with Reese and Cardoso, ended last season sidelined. It was a cocktail of unfortunate circumstances that surely left fans reaching for, well, anything stronger than water.
Yet, Marsh is no rookie in navigating high stakes. After joining Becky Hammon’s Aces squad in 2022, he helped lead them to back-to-back championships, putting Las Vegas on the map as an undisputed WNBA dynasty. Before that, he put in his dues in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors, not to mention an impressive stint in the G League. In other words, he’s got the receipts.
And if you thought the Aces’ loss was Sky’s gain, you’re not wrong. Marsh’s exit opens up yet another coaching vacancy in Vegas, as the Aces bid farewell to Natalie Nakase, who also recently left for a head coaching position with the Golden State Valkyries. Imagine Hammon’s horror as her championship-chasing staff disbands one by one. If A’ja Wilson and the rest of the Aces want another shot at glory, they’ll need to reassemble that championship staff pronto.
Meanwhile, the Sky will have their work cut out for them in 2025. Marsh has a squad with a ton of potential, sure, but also a heap of question marks, especially in free agency. Chennedy Carter, a game-changer when healthy, headlines their list of free agents. Can they retain her? Will Marsh be able to lure in the right talent to complement Reese and Cardoso? For now, Sky fans will have to place their trust in Marsh’s development magic and hope he can put it to work fast.
Oh, and about that upcoming draft lottery: Chicago will be participating but won’t have a shot at the No. 1 pick. They made a pick swap with Dallas that, in hindsight, probably has some Chicago fans shouting a collective, “Oops!” But hey, as the WNBA’s first year with seven fresh head coaches looms, maybe this fresh wave of leadership will shake things up across the league.
So here’s to Tyler Marsh, the Sky’s shiny new hope. No pressure, right? The task at hand: lead this team back to championship contention, dodge the free agency landmines, and show that his player development skills aren’t just Vegas magic but the real deal.
