Tyler Marsh's impact on stars such as Jackie Young provides indication of what's possible for him with Sky

References typically come in handy when a person is applying for a job.

In the case of new Sky coach Tyler Marsh, the testimonials that have followed his hiring speak volumes. One in particular — from Aces guard Jackie Young — paints a picture of what’s possible for Marsh in Chicago.

‘‘Truly changed my career,’’ Young wrote Saturday on X. ‘‘Forever thankful for you.’’

Marsh promptly echoed Young’s statement back to her, saying she had the same impact on his career. Young’s development is, in part, responsible for Marsh’s opportunity with the Sky, who were one of several teams that showed interest in him to be their next head coach.

‘‘His commitment to developing each player’s unique strengths, along with his basketball acumen and calm [and] composed leadership style, make him an outstanding fit for our team,’’ Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said in the team’s official news release announcing Marsh’s hire.

The challenge for Marsh with the Sky is to develop two young stars in Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese. Both showed exceptional promise as rookies. While Reese was breaking league rebounding records, Cardoso was showing glimpses of her potential to be the WNBA’s most dominant center.

Marsh’s ability to maximize star players’ potential was best exemplified by his work with Young and three-time league MVP A’ja Wilson on the Aces.

Young, the No. 1 overall pick in 2019, went from averaging 12.2 points and shooting 25% from three-point range in 2021 to averaging 16 points and shooting 43.1% from three in 2022, her first season with Marsh. She earned her first All-Star nod, was named the WNBA’s Most Improved Player and helped the Aces win the title.

In 2023, her game improved further. The Aces repeated as champions, and Young was named to the All-WNBA second team.

Reese has been adamant about her desire to develop into a more traditional point forward. She joked during her exit interview this season that the final shot of her rookie season being a three-pointer was a sign of things to come. Marsh already has taken notice of Reese’s game, commenting publicly via X on the difference in her footwork when she plays with patience.

Cardoso, meanwhile, needs more touches. She has proved she can be dominant playing with her back to the basket, but expect her shot profile to expand with Marsh’s influence.

Beyond the impact Marsh will have on the Sky’s young stars, his hire also was about fitting the culture of the franchise.

‘‘Future of the Sky is in good hands,’’ Marsh posted on X in June. ‘‘Young, tough [and] don’t give AF about anybody’s opinions other than their own. Gotta respect it.’’

There were many who pushed back on the Sky’s approach in 2024, which reflected a team that was hard-nosed and unconcerned with public perception and criticism. They drew comparisons to the ‘‘Bad Boy’’ Pistons of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

But many failed to acknowledge that was the Sky’s culture long before last season. Former coach/GM James Wade was largely responsible for developing their us-against-the-world mentality, which he often displayed in news conferences. When Teresa Weatherspoon was hired as coach last year, she expressed her desire to mirror the toughness of the city on the court.

Marsh will be the Sky’s fourth coach in two years, following Wade, Emre Vatansever (interim) and Weatherspoon. While he’s sure to bring his own ideas, it seems he’s already on board with the culture that has existed for years and contributed to the Sky’s title run in 2021.