It’s been a few weeks since the Chicago Sky announced in October that Teresa Weatherspoon would be the franchise’s head coach, and the Hall of Famer is still being worked on. He hasn’t officially made the big move or found a place to live yet, but by the time we catch up with him on the phone, it’s clear he’s already started preparing, at least mentally, for the upcoming season. He talked to the coaches who were instrumental in his growth and gave a lot of thought to “the most important thing,” which is how he can help his players succeed.
Weatherspoon’s return to the W, this time as a coach, is historic. he was one of the original members of the New York Liberty when the W started playing in ’97 and has watched the League and the game grow and develop throughout its history. a career that included five All-Star appearances and winning the inaugural Defensive Player of the Year award. Simply calling him a basketball great wouldn’t do his career justice. Weatherspoon is a pioneer, an inspiration, a legend.
“First of all, it’s full circle,” she says of now training at WW. But then to come back and coach in this league, it really means a lot to me because it still helps the League grow. I have had the opportunity to do some incredible things in between to prepare myself very well for any situation or circumstances that may arise. You arm yourself on the way.”
Those “in-between things” Weatherspoon is referring to are all the coaching jobs he’s had over the past decade at nearly every level of the game, including as the head coach at his alma mater, Louisiana Tech, and then in the NBA. where he served as a player development coach before becoming an assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans. For him, the decision to join Sky was simple. they knew he was the perfect man for the job. Period: “They believed me. They fought for me. They entrusted me with the leadership of this organization. That was enough for me.”
Weatherspoon was tasked with returning the skies to glory. After winning its first WNBA championship in 2021, the franchise has not advanced to the semifinals in the past two seasons. While 2021 Finals MVP Kahleah Copper is now in Phoenix, they have exciting new additions including Diamond DeShields and Chennedy Carter. But one thing their new head coach has made quite clear is not to call this upcoming season a rebuilding year. That is not the framework in which Weatherspoon operates. He has other plans. Big plans.
SLAM: As you prepare for the upcoming season, how do you think the transition will be? Going from coaching in the NBA to being the W’s head coach. What is your approach?
Teresa Weatherspoon. It’s about being aware of who you’re training (and) your staff. I think when you play the game period, they always say know your staff. That’s what it is for me. Yes, it’s basketball. Yes, I recognize that you are male and you are female. But at the end of the day, it all comes down to getting to know your staff and what works for your staff; what is best for your staff to be the best versions of themselves.
SLAM: It’s been a few years since Sky won a chip. What do you think it will take to get the team back to that level?
TW: Well, first of all, they did a good job of pushing to get into the playoffs, didn’t they? It says a lot about who they are, the fight that is in them, the determination that is in them. They have goals and they want it… It’s just a matter of me coming in now and putting my stamp on how I see things with them and then sustaining the success. We don’t want to be successful (just) for one year, we want to sustain success and that will be our attitude. That’s going to be our approach… They’ve got the ability, they’ve got the talent, they’ve got it all. And it’s a matter of putting the puzzle pieces together and making it work.
SLAM: When you first got the head coaching gig, did you connect with the players right away?
TW: In fact, I texted them this morning just to say. Hey, have a nice day!because I want them to know that (they) care. I’m not just a coach that’s just going to train you and then forget about you, no. I want to know how you are doing. I want to know how your family is. it’s me different. I approach things differently because I used to be a player and I know what’s important me as a player. So I want to bring the same thing to them because I want to be an open, honest and transparent coach.
SLAM! Would you describe yourself as a people person?
TW: I’ve always wanted to be. Not to be recognized, but to show that I care. And in that care, especially being a head coach, I’m going to push buttons that you never thought could be pushed. I’m going to push them because as a coach, if I ruffle your feathers, I’m doing my job.
SLAM: Having coached at all levels and now at the highest level in the NBA and soon the WNBA, what advice would you give to aspiring coaches who want to get to where you are?
TW: It’s crazy (because) I just gave this message in a speech that I had, and I talked about the table. When you talk about a table, it’s your table… It’s a self-made table and every experience you have is at your table… I want people to break bread with me at my table because I’ve had to experience a lot. things that can equip me to get to where I am now. And it’s my duty, whether it’s hard or brutal or painful, it’s my duty to go through it to make sure that every seat at my table is available for everyone to find solutions. Because at the end of the day, that will be the most important thing. what is your life doing to impact another life?
SLAM: When did you realize that you are the gamer and it is your duty to serve others?
TW: When you’re growing up, you know you have to bring something to the table, you know you have to bring something to make someone trust you and know that you’re valuable. Especially when you play the game, people need to know What is your best skill? What do you bring to this team? And why would you help this team succeed?…That question (happened) to me all my lifeso he built my table… Now this table has to help someone else… There’s no way I’m going through what I’m going through and there’s no solution on the table for what I’ve been through. It’s just sitting there. It doesn’t sit still, you have to keep moving to find the solution… And that’s all I’ve ever wanted. If there’s something you don’t like or don’t see coming from me and that’s what you want, tell me. I will find the solution. I will fight my back to find a solution because I always want to be able to help the next person.
SLAM: You’ve had such a storied playing career. As you enter this new chapter, how will you define your legacy up to this point?
TW: I think it is still being written. I believe as long as you continue to strive, to thrive, that it will continue to be written, because I think there is more of me. God has so much more for me. So I have to keep moving on that path, knowing that it’s not over. There are many more things to come.
Photos via Getty Images.
