Pokey Chatman

Coach Pokey Chatman
WNBA's Chicago Sky
Born	June 18, 1969 (1969-06-18) (age 42) Ama, Louisiana
Nationality	American
College	LSU
WNBA career	2011–present
Regular season	14–20 (.412)
Profile	WNBA Info Page
WNBA Head Coach of
Chicago Sky (2011–present)

Dana "Pokey" Chatman (born June 18, 1969 in Ama, Louisiana) is the current general manager and head coach of the Chicago Sky of the WNBA. She is the former head coach of the LSU Lady Tigers basketball team and the Spartak Moscow's women's basketball team. After taking over from coach Sue Gunter in 2004, Chatman led the Lady Tigers to three consecutive NCAA Final Fours in 2004 (as acting head coach for the ailing Gunter), 2005, and 2006.

Notably, Chatman resigned from her post at LSU on March 7, 2007 amid allegations of inappropriate relationships with former players that were alleged to have begun when Chatman was coaching the players.^[1] The resignation and ensuing controversy appeared to have little effect on her team's preparation for the NCAA Tournament; as the Tigers made it to the 2007 Final Four.

Biography

High school career

She played point guard in high school and was a 5-time AAU All-American.

LSU playing career

The 1991 Kodak All-American point guard played for Gunter from 1987 to 1991, starting all but one game and setting the all-time steals (346) and assists (570) records at LSU. Her assist record was broken in the 2003–2004 season by Temeka Johnson. Chatman played in the NCAA Tournament four times and posted a record of 82-38 as a player. She was a three-time All-SEC selection and led the Lady Tigers to their first ever SEC Tournament title in 1991, where she was the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).

LSU coaching career

Chatman served as a student assistant with the Lady Tigers for one season (1991–1992), before being named assistant coach prior to the 1992–1993 season. During her 13th season as a Lady Tiger coach (five as associate coach) when Gunter took a medical leave of absence due to respiratory problems in the middle of the 2003–2004 season. Chatman was named interim coach and led the TIgers to a 15–5 record and the first Final Four in school history. However, LSU credits the entire season to Gunter. When Gunter announced her retirement on April 27, 2004, Chatman was named only the fourth head coach in school history.

Head coach

In Chatman’s first season as head coach, she led the Lady Tigers to a 33–3 record, an undefeated SEC regular season title (14–0), and the program’s second consecutive Final Four, falling to eventual national champion Baylor in the semifinals. The 2005–2006 season was no different, as the Lady Tigers finished with a 31–4 record, captured its second consecutive SEC regular season title (13–1), and reached their third straight Final Four, this time losing to Duke. Chatman’s 47–3 record is the second best record through 50 games in women’s basketball history. Only Hall of Fame coach Leon Barmore, the former Louisiana Tech head coach, had a better record (48–2).

Chatman Won numerous awards, including the Black Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2005; the 2005 USBWA National Coach of the Year,^[2] the 2005 Russell/WBCA National Coach of the Year; the 2005 Naismith National Coach of the Year; the 2005 Victor Award Female Coach of the Year; the 2005 SEC Coach of the Year; and the 2005 Louisiana Coach of the Year.

In 2005, Chatman served as the assistant coach for the USA Women’s World University Games Team, which won the gold medal. Chatman also won a medal as a player on the 1990 USA Select Team.

Chatman was inducted into the LSU Hall of Fame in 1998.

Resignation as LSU Head Coach

Chatman resigned as the head women's basketball coach at LSU on March 7, 2007 after the university became aware of an alleged inappropriate sexual relationship between Chatman and a former player. Former LSU assistant coach Carla Berry, a college teammate of Chatman's, reported the alleged relationship to the university in February.^[3] Assistant coach Bob Starkey was named interim coach and led the team during the 2007 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament, in which the Tigers made their fourth consecutive Final Four.

Chatman claimed that after LSU learned about the alleged relationship, it conducted a cursory investigation before giving her an ultimatum--resign within two hours or be fired. She initially demanded to be paid the remaining $900,000 on her contract.^[4] Ultimately, LSU and Chatman settled out of court for $160,000.^[5]

Spartak

In August 2007 she signed as assistant coach of the Moscow's Spartak, winner of the 2007 Euroleague's Final against the Ros Casares from Valencia (Spain). In 2010, as the head coach of Spartak, Chatman led the team to a 16-0 Euroleague record and the 2010 Euroleague Championship.

Chicago Sky

On October 29, 2010, Chatman was named the general manager and head coach of the Chicago Sky of the WNBA.

Collegiate Head Coaching Record

Season	Team	Record	NCAA Tournament
2003–2004	LSU	15-5 (acting head coach)	Final Four
2004–2005	LSU	33-3	Final Four
2005–2006	LSU	31-4	Final Four
2006–2007	LSU	26-7	Resigned before NCAA Tournament
TOTALS		90-14 (105-19 including 2004)

External link

• Profile at LSU Athletic Site

References

1. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/news/story?id=2840260
2. ^ "USBWA WOMEN'S HONORS". USBWA. http://www.sportswriters.net/usbwa/awards/women/index.html. Retrieved 8 May 2010. 
3. ^ Pokey Chatman's Assistant Told LSU About Relationship
4. ^ Chatman's attorney: LSU forced resignation
5. ^ LSU, ex-hoops coach Chatman agree to $160K settlement. ESPN, 2007-06-15

Persondata
Name	Chatman, Pokey
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	June 18, 1969
Place of birth	Ama, Louisiana
Date of death
Place of death