Chicago Sky President and CEO Margaret Stender has announced that Head Coach and General Manager Steven Key has signed a two year contract extension. Per team policy, terms of the contract have not been released.
We are thrilled that Coach Key will continue to be one of the Skys leaders for years to come, said Stender. Steven just completed the most successful season in franchise history. He did a great job of tackling the seasons many challenges and injuries with flexibility, creativity and confidence. There is no doubt in my mind that he will continue to move the team forward.
Key managed improvements in the Skys overall record in each of his first two seasons as head coach. In his first year, the Sky went 12-22. In his second season, he improved team depth by bringing in several new athletes to complement the all star line up of Candice Dupree, Jia Perkins and Sylvia Fowles. Despite Fowles missing 10 games in 2009 due to injury, the Sky under Coach Keys leadership finished 16-18, establishing a new franchise record for wins in a season and nearly making the franchises first playoff berth.
I am honored and overjoyed to be moving forward here in Chicago. We have a great team full of young talent who are motivated and driven to improve, said Key. As the franchise moves to the professional Allstate Arena for 2010, I am committed and excited to be in position to help take the Sky to new heights.
Key started his professional coaching career in Germany as head coach of the Dusseldorf Magic. Key headed up the Magic for two seasons. In his first year his team was 20-10. He again was able to improve on his intial marks, leading the Magic to a 25-5 record in his second season.
Key played collegiately at Boston University before playing in the Continental Basketbal League for a season and then overseas where he spent time in Germany and Austria.
Key graduated from BU in 1990 with a bachelors degree in communication. Key and his wife Janka have a daughter, Sidney and reside in Chicago.