In a surprising move that has sent shockwaves through the WNBA, the Washington Mystics have parted ways with head coach Eric Thibault and general manager Mike Thibault. The father-son duo’s exit marks the end of an era for the Mystics and leaves the team as one of five WNBA franchises currently searching for new leadership heading into the 2025 season.
The Thibaults’ departure comes on the heels of a disappointing 2024 campaign that saw the Mystics open the season with a dismal 0-12 record before ultimately finishing at 14-26, just one game behind the Atlanta Dream for the final playoff spot. While the team faced numerous injury setbacks and was in the midst of a rebuild following the departures of key players like Natasha Cloud and Elena Delle Donne, the organization felt it was time for a complete reset to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving WNBA landscape.
A League in Transition
The WNBA is experiencing an unprecedented period of growth and change, with franchises like the Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, and Seattle Storm making significant investments in talent and resources to elevate their teams. As the league prepares to welcome the Golden State Valkyries as an expansion team in 2026, the bar has been set even higher, with Warriors ownership publicly declaring their goal of winning a championship within their first five years.
For the Mystics, the decision to move on from the Thibaults is a clear indication that they intend to not only keep pace with the league’s top teams but also establish themselves as a model franchise in this new era. The team will now look to align their philosophy with new hires who can help them achieve their lofty goals.
A Busy Offseason Ahead
The Mystics have no time to waste as they navigate a crucial offseason that will shape the team’s future. With the WNBA Draft Lottery set for November 17th, Washington has a 10.4% chance of landing the top pick, which is widely expected to be used on star prospect Paige Bueckers. The team also holds the No. 6 overall pick, acquired via trade from the Atlanta Dream, giving them two valuable assets to kickstart their rebuild.
Just weeks later, on December 6th, the Mystics will need to make important decisions regarding which players to protect in the expansion draft for the Golden State Valkyries. With a young core that includes Ariel Atkins, Shakira Austin, Aaliyah Edwards, and recently acquired talents like Sika Kone and Emily Engstler, the team has plenty of potential to build upon moving forward.
A New Era in Washington
As the Mystics embark on this new chapter, they will do so under the guidance of Michael Winger, President of Basketball for Monumental Sports, who oversees both the Mystics and the NBA’s Washington Wizards. Winger’s NBA background and network could potentially lead the team to consider coaches and executives with experience in the men’s game, following the trend set by other WNBA teams in recent years.
This is an opportunity for us to bring in fresh perspectives and build a culture that aligns with our goals as an organization. We’re excited about the future of the Mystics and the direction we’re headed.
– Michael Winger, Monumental Sports President of Basketball
While the Mystics navigate this transition, they join the Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings, Los Angeles Sparks, and Atlanta Dream as teams in search of new head coaches. With over one-third of the league’s coaching positions open, the 2025 WNBA season is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing and competitive in recent memory.
As the league continues to grow and evolve, the pressure is on for teams to make the right moves to position themselves for success. For the Washington Mystics, the departure of the Thibaults marks the end of an era, but also the beginning of an exciting new chapter filled with opportunity and potential. Only time will tell if they can navigate this transitional period and emerge as a force to be reckoned with in the new WNBA landscape.
