Teresa Weatherspoon Takes On Head Coaching Role Just Two Months After Her Dismissal from Chicago Sky
Teresa Weatherspoon is back in the head coaching position.
Weatherspoon, a highly respected figure in WNBA history, was recently let go from her role as head coach of the Chicago Sky after one season where the team ended with a 13-27 record and did not qualify for the playoffs. This was her first head coaching job after spending four years as an assistant in the NBA.
On Friday, the 3-on-3 league Unrivaled, which will launch in January, revealed Weatherspoon as one of its six head coaches.
Details about which team she will oversee remain unclear, as there are six teams with rosters of six players each. More information about the teams and their players will be available next week.
Weatherspoon’s termination from the Sky occurred on September 27. Following the announcement, Chicago’s first-round draft pick Angel Reese, who played a key role in leading LSU to their first national championship, expressed her devastation.
“I’m truly at a loss for words because of how much this woman has impacted my life during such a crucial time. She was the only one who believed in me and put her trust in me,” Reese mentioned in a heartfelt social media tribute when news of the firing broke. “Most people don’t understand the challenges of being a black woman in sports when no one has your back. You faced immense pressure this year, and even when things got tough, you never stopped believing. I came to Chicago because of YOU. You played an invaluable role in my life.”
Reese had previously announced her participation in Unrivaled’s inaugural season back in June.
Joining Weatherspoon in the coaching lineup are Phil Handy, Adam Harrington, Nola Henry, DJ Sackmann, and Andrew Wade. A strong focus was placed on selecting coaches experienced in player development.
Among the group, Handy stands out with significant recognition. An experienced NBA assistant, he spent last season with the Lakers and has earned three NBA championships throughout his coaching career working with teams like Cleveland, Toronto, and Los Angeles.
Henry was part of the Los Angeles Sparks coaching staff during the previous season.
Unrivaled was established by WNBA All-Stars Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx and Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty. The league aims to give WNBA players a domestic option to supplement their earnings during the offseason—many players have traditionally played in Europe to continue their careers and earn additional income.
Unrivaled promises to offer players the highest average salaries in women’s professional sports, along with equity stakes in the league for its inaugural members. Although specific numbers haven’t been disclosed, salaries are anticipated to surpass six figures. In October, the league revealed a media agreement with TNT to showcase games during primetime.