Chicago Sky fire Teresa Weatherspoon. Who could they hire next?

In what came as a surprise move to many, reports came out last night that Teresa Weatherspoon would not be returning as the Chicago Sky's head coach.

The decision came under a year from Weatherspoon taking the job and after just missing the WNBA Playoffs with a record of 13-27.

Coming into the season, the vision seemed clear that this would be a long-term build in Chicago as they recovered from the wreckage left by James Wade. Yet here we are under a year later asking the same head coach questions.

While the reason for the decision currently remains unclear, the question that comes next is crystal, who could the Chicago Sky hire to replace Weatherspoon? Here are three potential candidates.

Katie Smith, Minnesota Lynx assistant coach

Katie Smith has a stacked resume. A seven time WNBA All-Star, a two time champion, and former head coach of the New York Liberty.

Smith is a name that will likely be popping up in most coaching searches. Her tenure is New York was not the most impressive, but being at the helm of a team undergoing massive ownership change as the Liberty were at the time, is not for the weak.

Smith has been named as vital in the development of several players on the Lynx, including Bridget Carleton, who was able to make a strong Most Improved Player case . With Smith at the helm, there is a strong precedent that the development of both Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso would be greater.

Natalie Nakase, Las Vegas Aces assistant coach

Speaking of names that will be popping up in coaching searches, make sure you are familiar with Natalie Nakase. The current top assistant coach for the Las Vegas Aces should be leading a franchise of her own sooner rather than later.

Nakase has been right behind Becky Hammon as the Aces have developed into a championship franchise, with the potential of the rare dynasty tag still in play.

It seems most likely that Nakase would head to California if she were indeed to leave Vegas, with plenty of ties to the state from attending UCLA to coaching for the Clippers organization. However, the Sky should be making the call in hopes of recreating the success the Aces have found.

Pokey Chatman, Seattle Storm assistant coach and associate general manager

Pokey Chatman is not new to Chicago, having coached the team from 2011-2016, but could be the exact coach they need to lead them in this new era.

Chatman also now has front office experience after being elevated to the role of associate general manager prior to this season. Seattle would go on to have arguably the best offseason of any team adding Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith. For a team that likely has ton of roster turnover ahead, having a coach with that experience can't hurt.

Chatman would not lack the experience in the lead seat having coached the Sky, Fever, and LSU.

The expectations for the Sky's next coach

Whoever it is that takes the helm as Sky head coach, the expectations from the front office seem to be looking for immediate results.

Many on the outside looking in felt Weatherspoon was moving this team in the right direction. Yet she now finds herself also on the outside looking in.

The next Sky head coach will absolutely have goals they will be looking to hit in their first year, most notably bringing the Reese and Cardoso duo to their first playoff appearance.