The Chicago Sky continued to round out their coaching staff with the announcements of three new hirings in a Thursday release.
Chicago added Donnie Marsh, a long-time collegiate coach and Marsh's father, as a Basketball Operations Specialist. Two returning faces in David Simon and Can Ozbalkan were promoted to Director of Player Development and Video Coordinator, respectively. The three will join a trio of new assistants in Courtney Paris, Tanisha Wright and Rena Wakama, all of whom have at least half a decade of coaching experience under their belt.
Wright and Wakama both have experience as a head coach. Wright, a 14-year WNBA veteran with four different squads, led the Atlanta Dream for three seasons. Wakama took point for the Nigerian Women's National Team during the 2024 Olympics. Led by a former Big 12 Sixth Player of the Year in Amy Okonkwo, Wakama and the Nigerian National Team claimed victory in the 2023 FIBA Women's AfroBasket Tournament with an 84-74 win over Senegal.
Tyler Marsh put in position to succeed with strong coaching foundation
With two high-potential bigs and a few new contenders in the East, the Sky needed to add home-run hires in what could be a defining season for the rising squad.
Chicago joined an offseason arms race that saw four of Chicago's Eastern Conference rivals hire new head coaches. Sandy Brondello, who oversaw the New York Liberty's first championship win last season, will be the only returning head coach in the East. Sydney Johnson, a one-year assistant for the Sky alongside Teresa Weatherspoon, will head the Washington Mystics alongside a former Chicago interim coach in Emre Vatansever. The Western Conference saw a trio of new hires before the start of the year, including the addition of another Aces assistant in Natalie Nakase by the Golden State Valkyries.
Marsh has already proven to be a talented player development coach with the Aces and in the NBA. His basketball smarts, work ethic and ability to connect with players were what ultimately stood out to General Manager Jeff Pagliocca, he said in a November release. Chicago has added nothing short of an excellent coaching staff around the newly-hired head coach this offseason. Marsh can call back on their experience during what will be his first-ever year as a head coach. It will be up to the strong group of assistants to provide Marsh with the support he needs to become a long-term option for the Sky.