We’re just a few weeks out from tip-off, and the buzz around the WNBA is heating up. Paige Bueckers finally making her way to the league is stealing headlines–but she’s not the only one grabbing the headlines. Tyler Marsh’s Chicago Sky are making serious noise too. The big news? Hailey Van Lith and Angel Reese are teaming up once again! The former LSU teammates are reuniting in the Windy City, and fans are loving it. And just as excitement builds for the new season, the Sky have dropped some extra news which seems to have the Sky fans puzzled.
Earlier today, the Chicago Sky’s official Instagram page dropped a major update–introducing the fans to the full coaching staff for the upcoming 2025 WNBA season. No surprises at the top, as Tyler Marsh is locked in as the head coach for the Sky. But he’s got quite the squad backing him up.
Courtney Paris, Tanisha Wright, and Rena Wakama will serve as assistant coaches. Donnie Marsh joins the team as a basketball operations specialist, while David Simon steps in as the director of player development. Can Ozbalkan is back as the video coordinator, and Aaron Johnson wraps things up as a player development coach. But there was one familiar name missing and fans were quick to notice.
Fan favorite Tamera “Ty” Young, who made her coaching debut last year as an assistant to former head coach Teresa Weatherspoon, was nowhere to be seen. Her absence left Sky fans scratching their heads. Given her Chicago roots and deep connection with the franchise, many had assumed she’d stick around. Social media was flooded with questions and comments, with fans wondering what led to her omission from the 2025 staff list. Let’s take a look at some of those reactions and try to answer the doubts.
Fans puzzled after Tyler Marsh and co deliver a crucial update
Fans were clearly caught off guard by the coaching staff update and didn’t hold back in the comments section on Instagram. One fan asked, “Where is Ty Young?? What did I miss?” while another echoed the sentiment with, “What happened to Ty Young???” The confusion was real, and it’s clear that her absence hasn’t gone unnoticed by the loyal Sky supporters.
Young returned to the Chicago Sky organization last year as part of the coaching staff, following a legendary 12-year playing career–nine of which she spent with the Sky. As the third-longest tenured player in franchise history, Young’s impact on the team is undeniable. She ranks in the top 10 of ten different statistical categories for the Sky– which include total points, assists, and rebounds.
She was a fan favorite among the Sky fans. However, the 2024 campaign was anything but smooth for the Windy City franchise. The Sky stumbled to a disappointing 13-27 record and missed out on the playoffs, which ultimately led to the firing of head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. Tyler Marsh was brought in as her replacement to lead a new chapter for the team. While there hasn’t been any official confirmation regarding Young’s departure, her absence from the recently announced coaching staff strongly suggests she exited her role alongside Weatherspoon.
“Why so many assitant coaches? Love them but curious if this is normal,” asked a fan wondering if it was okay for Tyler Marsh to hire so many assistants. And the answer is yes! The WNBA allows teams to bring on up to three assistant coaches, with the condition that the third assistant must be a former WNBA player. This rule was introduced back in 2020 and quickly boosted the number of coaching opportunities by nearly 50%! With both Tanisha Wright and Courtney Paris having played in the W, the Chicago Sky are well within the league’s guidelines by naming three assistants under Tyler Marsh.
After the Chicago Sky unveiled their full coaching staff for the upcoming season, another detail caught the eye of curious fans. One particular comment summed it up: “Is Donnie Marsh and Tyler related?”Donnie Marsh, who steps in as the Chicago Sky’s basketball operations specialist, brings with him over 40 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level. Most recently, he was part of the coaching staff at the University of Detroit Mercy, where he played a key role in guiding the Titans to their first postseason appearance since the 2012-13 season. But beyond his impressive resume, there’s a personal connection as well! Marsh is indeed the father of the head coach.
“Big things coming for the Sky this year!!! Let’s go!!!!” wrote a hyped-up fan. And honestly, it’s hard to disagree! After missing out on the playoffs last season, the Chicago Sky look ready to bounce back this season. All-Star Ariel Atkins brings championship pedigree, while Hailey Van Lith adds shooting and playmaking–ready to take advantage of the space created by the two dominant bigs– Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese.
On paper, this team has some serious upside. The upcoming W season promises to be an exciting one for Sky fans. All eyes are now on Tyler Marsh. Whether he delivers on the promise remains to be seen! Stay tuned for more updates!
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