The Washington Mystics parted ways with general manager Mike Thibault and head coach Eric Thibault on Wednesday.
Eric Thibault, 37, is the fifth WNBA coach to be fired since the end of the regular season. The Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings and Los Angeles Sparks also are looking for new head coaches.
“After extensive reflection and conversation, we have decided we are at a point in our competitive and evolutionary cycle to turn the team over to new leadership with a renewed vision to carve our path into the future of WNBA basketball,” Monumental Basketball president Michael Winger said.
Mike Thibault, 74, joined the franchise on Dec. 18, 2012, as both the general manager and head coach. He was named the WNBA Coach of the Year in 2013, guided the club to eight postseason appearances and helped the Mystics win their first league title in 2019.
Mike Thibault is the winningest coach in WNBA history with a record of 379-289 in 20 seasons, which includes 10 seasons with the Connecticut Sun.
“Coach Mike elevated the Mystics program to its proud status as a league leader in innovation, the standard bearer in player care, and a model franchise,” Winger said.
“He built and coached the championship team, developed high performing players, and pioneered many of the processes teams use today in building rosters and organizations. His fingerprints are all over this franchise and will be for years to come. We are grateful for Mike’s commitment, passion, and leadership and wish him well.”
Mike Thibault handed the coaching duties to Eric Thibault, his son, who served as an assistant coach with the Mystics for 10 years before being named the head coach on Nov. 15, 2022.
Under Eric Thibault’s watch, the Mystics went 33-47 in two seasons. They finished with a 14-26 record this season and missed the playoffs after losing in the first round in 2023.
“Coach Eric is a skilled coach and equally talented motivator,” Winger said. “Our players are fortunate to have played for Eric these past two seasons, as will many other players in this league for decades ahead.”
–Field Level Media
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