Stanford graduate and Baltimore native with further experience at the Dallas Morning News, Seattle Times and Cincinnati Enquirer
A huge shakeup in the Washington Mystics organization was announced Wednesday, as the franchise said it has "mutually agreed to part ways" with general manager Mike Thibault and head coach Eric Thibault.
"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 in a statement.
Mike Thibault, the winningest coach in league history with 379 career wins, first joined the organization as the general manager and head coach ahead of the 2013 season, ultimately leading the Mystics to their franchise-first championship in 2019. Under Mike, the Mystics made eight postseason appearances, including back-to-back Finals runs in 2018 and 2019.
Prior to his time in Washington, Mike had extensive coaching experience in the NBA, World Basketball League and Continental Basketball Association, starting in the WNBA as the head coach of the Connecticut Sun (2003-2012). He has also extensive coaching experience with USA Basketball, most recently serving as an assistant on Cheryl Reeve's staff for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
"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 stayed on as the general manager but stepped away from coaching after the 2022 season, with Eric -- his longtime assistant/associate head coach and son -- taking his place.
Eric went 33-47 in his two years at the helm, where the team experienced a litany of injuries both seasons, but managed a playoff appearance in 2023. With Natasha Cloud signing with Phoenix and Elena Delle Donne sitting out the 2024 season, it felt clear that Washington had entered a rebuilding era. Even still, they were one game out of making the 2024 playoffs, ultimately finishing ninth in the standings.
"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."
The Mystics have a 10.4% chance of earning the No. 1 pick in next month's 2025 WNBA Draft Lottery (Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. ET). The expansion draft for the Golden State Valkyries will soon after take place on Dec. 6.
All four draft lottery teams -- the Mystics, Dallas Wings, Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks -- are currently without a head coach, with the Wings and Mystics also looking for a general manager. There is a fifth head coaching vacancy from the Atlanta Dream, who were the final team to make the playoffs.