The Chicago Sky are moving on from head coach Teresa Weatherspoon after just one season, and an apparent “disconnect” between the players and the tactician might be a big reason why.

Chicago fired Weatherspoon on Thursday, just a week after the Sky failed to make the playoffs. The Windy City franchise got off to a promising start and was in contention for a playoff spot prior to the WNBA’s Olympic break.

In their return to action, however, the Sky won just three out of 16 games. As a result, Chicago finished with a 13-27 record.

While the Sky’s players have been very supportive of Weatherspoon throughout the year, especially WNBA rookie and All-Star Angel Reese, Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun Times reported that a problem became clear during exit interviews.

“Players were outwardly supportive of Weatherspoon throughout the year. However, during exit interviews, it became apparent there was some disconnect. Multiple players noted the changing play style throughout the year and mentioned the learning curve of being a first-year coach,” Costabile wrote in her report of Weatherspoon’s dismissal.

Chicago Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon © Wendell Cruz–USA TODAY Sports

The Sky job is Teresa Weatherspoon’s first head coaching stint in the pros after serving as an assistant coach for the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans from 2020 to 2023.

Sure enough, it’s quite surprising that the Sky didn’t give Weatherspoon a chance to continue and see what she could do with what she built in her first season as head coach.

It’s unknown how much of an impact the players’ comments on Weatherspoon during exit interviews had on the Sky’s decision to make a coaching change, but it will surely be a hot topic in the next couple of weeks.

For now, it has yet to be seen whom the Sky will hire to take over as their next head coach.