Ever since Angel Reese’s controversy stirred, there’s just one name that’s been looked upon: Tyler Marsh. As the head coach, eyes were on him for statements and responses to Reese’s words. But he never let the bond with AR break. “We talked before the game… that will stay between me and Angel,” he had said. But just a couple of days after the controversy erupted, it seems he has more to say.

On Thursday night, as the Chicago Sky took the floor for their season finale, the fans didn’t miss a beat. From the tipoff, frustration filled the arena, with bold signs reading, “Free #5” and “We’re tired of mediocrity #selltheteam”. By the end of the third quarter, the anger hit its peak as chants broke out, calling for the firing of GM Jeff Pagliocca. Watching it all unfold, Marsh stepped in and became the voice the franchise desperately needed in that moment.

He stepped forward and started communicating with the fans, saying, “I represent this city the best way possible and more than anything, this group of players deserves that respect. Look, we wanna represent this franchise in the best way we can. We’re gonna work on ourselves in the offseason, trying to turn things around the next season so we appreciate that support. Thank you, legendary.”

Marsh’s words carried extra weight, coming at the end of a brutal campaign. The Sky closed out the year with a 91-86 loss to the Liberty, sealing their second straight season without a playoff berth and finishing 10-34, the second-worst mark in franchise history. No wonder Wintrust Arena was brimming with frustration. But Marsh wasn’t just tossing out a soundbite to pacify the crowd.

It almost felt like Marsh’s words were meant to mend what Angel Reese had stirred up just days earlier. Just a couple of days ago, Angel Reese, during an interview with the Chicago Tribune, shared that Marsh needs to coach harder. She added, “I’m not settling for the same s— we did this year… We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me.”

But the fact is, while the franchise ended up with a .227 winning percentage, Marsh did his level best. As the commentator in today’s game put it best: “He was Becky’s assistant, he was Becky Hammon’s right-hand offensive man in Vegas and you see what he’s been able to do in just one season here, despite the injuries, despite the challenges that this season has faced.”

Yes, Marsh was only in his first year as head coach, but he did everything he could to keep the Sky competitive. Under his watch, the team set franchise highs in points, field goals, and rebounds, per the Xfinity Reliability Report. When weaknesses needed calling out, he didn’t hesitate. When motivation was required, he kept pushing. That approach helped Chicago notch wins over powerhouses like the Liberty and the Aces. And Marsh’s impact hasn’t been limited to the court.

Tyler Marsh draws inspiration from his tattoos

When Reese ended up amidst the controversy, as her words were misconstrued, Marsh kept his calm. He had conversations with the Chi-Town Barbie, ensuring everything was good. And yes, it was all because he knew Reese was going to deal with a lot mentally. “Yeah. I think that first, it starts with letting them know what my availability and access is to them, in terms of any time of support they need,” he shared in one of the post-game press conferences when asked about Reese’s mental health.

“I don’t ever want to just assume that I’m doing and saying the things necessary to provide them the support that they’ve needed in moments like this… I’ve tried to be as communicative as possible with our team, of knowing just how I can be there for them, and having that open line of communication.” He added. Well, Marsh has been doing all this ever since the beginning of this season.

And the best part is, he never stops supporting his team. He had a lot of praise for Reese in the beginning, and even now, he’s the same. “That’s a little before my time… But yeah, I’m familiar with James [Worthy], but I’m more familiar with Angel,” he shared in a recent interview with sports commentator Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson before drawing parallels between the former LSU Tigress and Lakers Hall of Famer James Worthy.

But do you know what helps him the most in keeping up? Well, his tattoos. Etched on his arm is a simple reminder: Celebrate the wins. In a season defined by struggles, Marsh leans on that mantra, believing it’s crucial to pause and recognize the small blessings that still break through the grind. He’s also got a psalm that reads, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight,” inscribed on the inside of his forearm. It’s something he learned from his college pastor, who opened every sermon with this same verse. And now, he’s just translating it to coaching.