After trading their first-round picks for Ariel Atkins, it was clear where Chicago Sky was aiming– playoff contention. That’s the initial goal Tyler Marsh was hired for. That’s the promise Nadia Rawlinson and the team had made to the fans. So the Windy City has followed up with a few more moves since, and dare we say, it is screaming ‘right direction’. But in building excitement and aligning with the draftees, the head coach’s one update has left fans puzzled.

The Sky may not be dominating the championship contender list right now, but they are sure looking to crack the code to one of the top seeds. Two bigs in Angel Reese and Kamila Cardoso, an efficient guard in Atkins, and veteran leadership in Courtney Vandersloot, it all ticks. But Marsh needs to ensure they reach their destination soon, preferably before their frontcourt duo’s rookie contracts end. Because that could spell trouble for the Sky without its 2027 first-round picks. Another rebuild? The head coach would rather nip the concern in the bud.

So now we have a team looking for a deep run, and Marsh’s newly appointed coaching staff to see that through!

Earlier on Tuesday, 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.

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. These aren’t just random pieces in a box; Marsh has seemingly thought them through.

Sky currently has a roster filled with developing talent. Reese and Cardoso definitely make the list first. But their new draftees– Hailey Van Lith, Ajša Sivka, and Aicha Coulibaly — who have the potential to contribute right away, are gonna need the ‘player development-prioritized’ staff in fast-tracking their growth.

“[I] know how much passion and knowledge he brings to the game. He is committed to maximizing player potential, and I know our players will benefit greatly,” Marsh says of Johnson.

But in curating the staff list, the new coach left out one name 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.

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. Evidently so, as another asked, “Dang no Coach Ty?!” 

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. You can see why the fans are left confused. “Wait where is @tyyoung11? Dont play w us,” one more echoed.

Marsh has three new assistant coaches now, erasing traces of the former Sky star. That is still a hard sight for fans to adjust. It was proved when a fifth one wrote, “wow @tyyoung11 where you at ?” 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, they are taking over Young’s position. But it isn’t all gloomy.

“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!