Pokey Chatman Takes Over as Head Coach and General Manager for the WNBA's Chicago Sky

Pokey Chatman is back in the United States with a new position as head coach and general manager of the WNBA Chicago Sky after leaving Louisiana State University (LSU) after a hasty resignation. Chatman resigned after being accused of having intimate relations with one of her team members by an assistant coach, to coach in Russia, .

Chatman was named the new general manager and coach of the WNBA Chicago Sky basketball team, according to a recent report by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Chatman spent the past three years in Moscow, Russia coaching the Spartak Moscow team. Chatman's record there was excellent, guiding the Spartaks to a 16-0 record and winning the 2010 European Championship. Chatman, who was a former All-American at LSU, also coached at LSU, and led the LSU Tiger basketball team to the Final Four three years in a row. Chatman was also honored with multiple Coach of the Year Awards while coaching at LSU.

Chatman's new job will make her the first female coach for the Chicago Suns. Former coaches included Dave Cowens, a NBA Hall of Famer, Bo Overton and Steven Key. The Chicago Suns have failed to make a playoff berth in the past five years.

Chatman took over the head coaching position at LSU after Sue Gunter stepped down due to failing health in 2004. Chatman was a former All-American on Sue Gunter's team during her college career. She became the Assistant Coach of the LSU basketball team under head coach Sue Gunter.

Chatman left LSU in 2007, resigning after allegations were made against her involving intimate relations with a former team member, who was on the team at the time. Chatman sued the university and accepted a settlement out of court to close the matter once and for all. Chatman then packed her bags and moved to Russia, where she was very successful in continuing her coaching career.

Chatman had this to say about her new challenge in the coaching world, "It's a great honor to be named head coach and general manager of the Chicago Sky. It's clear that my job is to come to Chicago and help turn the Sky into a winner. I'm confident that with the base of players we have here, that we will be able to achieve that goal. I'm looking forward to coaching in a city that has such a great basketball tradition and I'm excited to get in the gym and get to work with the talented athletes on the Sky roster."

With Coach Chatman's previous record and ability, there is no doubt in my mind that she will be an excellent coach for the Sky

Sources:

Chicago Sky Press Release

Chicago Sun-