After almost two years of fans calling for his dismissal, the Chicago Sky announce today the resignation of Steven Key as the team’s General Manager and Head Coach.
“I enjoyed and appreciated my time with the Chicago Sky. Now is the right time for me and my family to move on to new opportunities,” said Key. “I wish the Sky athletes and franchise much success in the future.”
Steven Key has been with the Sky since its inaugural season in 2006,but they are still the only exisiting Franchise that has never made the WNBA Playoffs. He served as assistant coach in seasons 2006 and 2007. Key became the General Manager and Head Coach in April of 2008. For the last three seasons (2008, 2009, 2010) he compiled a record of 42 and 60 which included a franchise high of 16 wins in 2009.
“We thank Steven for all of his efforts and accomplishments in helping to develop this young franchise,” said Sky Owner Michael Alter. “We wish him all the best in his new endeavors.”
Key is a very personable guy,but this season in which the Sky finished last in the Eastern Conference while the third year Atlanta Dream not only made the postseason for the second straight year,but the WNBA Finals,and the fact that the popular alltime franchise leading scorer Candice Dupree was dealt to Phoenix in a three-way trade,and that former #1 draft choice Christie Toliver was unloaded to L.A., likely were the last straw. Fans have been called for Key’s removal since early last year,but even though the Sky blew a an 18 point halftime lead in the season finale to Detroit(all they needed was a win to make the playoffs)and lost big to be eliminated, the Sky gave him a new two year contract prior to this season.
LES