The Chicago Sky named Pokey Chatman general manager and head coach, the team announced Friday.

"It's a great honor to be named head coach and general manager of the Chicago Sky," Chatman said in a statement. "It's clear that my job is to come to Chicago and help turn the Sky into a winner. I'm confident that with the base of players we have here, that we will be able to achieve that goal.

"I'm looking forward to coaching in a city that has such a great basketball tradition, and I'm excited to get in the gym and get to work with the talented athletes on the Sky roster."

Chatman coached in the European basketball league last season and guided Russian Spartak Moscow Region to a 16-0 Euroleague record and the 2010 Euroleague Championship.

"Following the 2010 season, I made a commitment to Sky fans to bring in a head coach and general manager with a proven record of winning at the highest level; someone who could establish a culture of excellence where winning is not only expected, but demanded," Sky owner Michael Alter said in a statement. "Pokey knows how to lead. She has demonstrated success at both the professional and college levels. She brings a deep knowledge of basketball combined with an intensity and commitment to winning that is among the very best in women's basketball.

"Although demanding and driven, players respond positively to Pokey, and I anticipate that her leadership will help the Sky become a championship team."

Chatman coached at Louisiana State and guided the Lady Tigers to consecutive Final Four appearances before resigning abruptly in March 2007, just before the NCAA tournament was to begin. Carla Berry, a former teammate and assistant to Chatman, alleged that Chatman had sexual relationships with former players.

LSU and Chatman reached a settlement in the summer of 2007.