The Washington Mystics are currently going through changes in their coaching staff and front office.
The team announced that they have parted ways with general manager Mike Thibault and his son, Eric Thibault, who has been the coach for the past two seasons.
“After much thought and discussion, we have decided that it is time to bring in new leadership with a fresh perspective to guide us into the future of WNBA basketball,” said Monumental Basketball president Michael Winger in a statement.
Mike Thibault has been with the Mystics for over ten years in various roles, including coach/general manager. He led the team to their first championship in 2019 and has been a Coach of the Year. He transitioned to leading the team’s basketball operations full-time after the 2022 season.
Eric Thibault served as the coach for the past two years, following a decade as an assistant coach. Despite facing challenges like injuries, the team made the playoffs in 2023 and narrowly missed out this year.
The decision represents a new direction for the Mystics, now under the leadership of Winger. Since joining in May 2023, Winger has made significant changes to the Washington Wizards and is now focusing on the Mystics.
With this move, five out of twelve WNBA teams have made coaching changes post regular season. There are also two general manager roles available in Dallas and Washington.
During the 2024 WNBA Finals, Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve reflected on the recent firings, attributing it to the growing interest in the league.
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(Photo of Mike Thibault: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
