The Sky desperately needed to make a strong hire to fill their head-coaching vacancy.
After two years of turmoil, the only thing they could do to prove they are a serious franchise was to land a top-tier coach.
On Saturday, the Sky made their strongest statement in years by agreeing to terms on a multiyear contract with former Aces assistant Tyler Marsh.
As the news broke, record-breaking Sky rookie Angel Reese emphasized her support with just one letter.
‘‘W,’’ Reese posted on X.
One of Marsh’s first calls after news of his hire broke was to Reese.
Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca was steady in his approach in the wake of the team’s hasty hiring and firing of Teresa Weatherspoon after one season and a 13-27 record. It was the first time the Sky failed to make the playoffs since 2018.
Pagliocca had discussions with several candidates, including former Sparks coach Curt Miller and ex-Wings coach Latricia Trammell. But there were two coaches all along that Pagliocca was intent on trying to land: Stephanie White or Marsh.
The Sky’s chances of getting White — whom the Fever hired Friday — were always slim, considering her history with the Fever and roots in Indiana. Still, Pagliocca’s efforts signaled the Sky were putting real action behind their talk of being a respected franchise. Pagliocca spoke with White on the phone but never in person. Marsh traveled to Chicago to meet with Pagliocca and members of Sky ownership this past week.
Despite his lack of head-coaching experience, Marsh was considered one of the top candidates available in this hiring cycle. He joins the Sky after three seasons as an assistant and the head of player development with the Aces, who won back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.
A’ja Wilson earned her second MVP award in 2022, Marsh’s first year with the franchise, and her third this year. He’s also largely responsible for the development of 2019 No. 1 overall pick Jackie Young, who was voted the WNBA’s Most Improved Player in 2022.
Before Reese played a minute in the WNBA, Marsh was offering his insight.
‘‘Drastic difference in [Angel Reese’s] footwork when patient versus when rushed,’’ Marsh posted on X in January. ‘‘Been on point today. Keep feeding her.’’
Marsh’s experience of getting the most out of players with high ceilings can’t be ignored and highlights the impact he will have on young Sky players such as Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. That expectation and his championship pedigree are what made Marsh a top target for the Sky.
Marsh is well-regarded in WNBA and NBA coaching circles. He spent two seasons (2020-22) as an assistant/player-development coach with the Pacers and was a player-development coach with the Raptors during their championship season in 2019.
His résumé also includes three seasons as an assistant in the G League, working for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Bakersfield Jam and Iowa Energy. He was on staff with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers during their G League championship season in 2013.
Marsh became the second assistant on Aces coach Becky Hammon’s staff to be hired since the regular season ended, following the expansion Valkyries’ hiring of Natalie Nakase last month.
Both hires speak to the culture of the Aces but also to the coaching landscape in the WNBA at large. While some franchises likely will recycle coaches who were fired, others are considering assistants and candidates outside the league.
Now that the Sky have their coach in place, their focus will shift toward the WNBA Draft lottery Nov. 17 and the expansion draft Dec. 6.
