MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JUNE 08: Former Minnesota Lynx player Lindsay Whalen addresses the crowd … [+]
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The Minnesota Lynx have not been immune to the WNBA’s trend of coaching turnover this offseason. Associate head coach Katie Smith left for Ohio State and general manager Clare Duwelius took an executive role at Unrivaled, the new women’s professional basketball league co-founded by Lynx star Napheesa Collier.
The Lynx have made two big-name hires to address these losses and bolster their coaching staff, hiring Lynx legend Lindsay Whalen as an assistant coach and former Washington Mystics head coach Eric Thibault as associate head coach.
“I am excited to add both Eric and Lindsay to our coaching staff,” Reeve, who serves as head coach and President of Basketball Operations said in a press release.” Eric has vast experience coaching in the WNBA as both a head and an assistant coach and is a WNBA champion. Lindsay adds a unique perspective as Lynx legend and Naismith Hall of Famer. I look forward to working with both in our quest for another WNBA Championship.”
A Minnesota native, Whalen spent the last nine seasons of her career with the Lynx and won four WNBA Championships with them. After a decorated 15-year career, Whalen was inducted into the Hall of Fame and the Lynx retired her number. She begins her career as a WNBA coach after serving as the University of Minnesota women’s head coach for the past five seasons.
She was frequently seen court-side during the Lynx’s postseason run, including in New York as the team came within seconds of their first WNBA championship since 2017. According to ESPN, one of the primary goals for Whalen will be to use her point guard expertise to help further Courtney Williams’ development.
“I’m so excited to be back with the Lynx and back with Coach and Becky [Rebekkah Brunson],” Whalen said. “Eric and I have also known each other for a long time, and for me, I couldn’t imagine joining a better staff as I return to coaching and get my first opportunity to coach in the WNBA. We have a special group with this team and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Thibault was relieved of his duties as the Mystics head coach earlier in the offseason after two seasons at the helm. Before being named head coach, he spent ten seasons as an assistant for the Mystics and was promoted to associate head coach in 2019. Thibault helped the Mystics to nine postseason berths, including back-to-back WNBA Finals appearances in 2018 and 2019, culminating in Washington’s first WNBA Championship in 2019.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Cheryl’s staff and to be a part of the Minnesota Lynx organization,” said Thibault. “The players and staff have built an incredible winning culture, and I’m excited to do my part as we pursue a WNBA Championship.”
Before the Minnesota Lynx begin their quest for the 2025 WNBA Championship, the WNBA expansion draft for the Golden State Valkyries will be held on Friday, Dec. 6 on ESPN. The Lynx can designate six players as “Protected Players” that Golden State cannot select.
