Bonmatí, Hayes Win Big at 2024 Ballon d’Or Ceremony
In the past week, three additional WNBA teams have let go of their head coaches, resulting in over half of the league's 12 teams currently lacking a head coach.
On Monday, the Connecticut Sun revealed that they and head coach Stephanie White have decided to part ways, with reports indicating it was a mutual decision. This comes just a day after the Indiana Fever announced the firing of their head coach, Christie Sides. The developments follow the Washington Mystics' decision last Wednesday to let go of both their head coach, Eric Thibault, and the coach who became GM, Mike Thibault.
White Leads Sun To Back-to-Back WNBA Semifinals
In only two seasons as the head coach in Connecticut, White guided the Sun to consecutive WNBA semifinal appearances, though they were defeated by New York in 2023 and Minnesota in 2024.
The 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year leaves Connecticut with an outstanding regular-season record of 55 wins and 25 losses. There are rumors suggesting that they are the leading contender for the vacant head coaching position at Indiana.
If White agrees to take the helm of the Fever, it will be a return to her roots. The former Purdue player was part of the WNBA team from 2000 to 2004 and then spent six years coaching in Indiana—initially as an assistant before stepping up as head coach for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Sides Guides Fever To First Playoff In 8 Years
During her two seasons as the head coach, Sides guided the Fever to a record of 33 wins and 47 losses, achieving a noteworthy 20 wins and 20 losses this year.
Following a challenging start with a 1-8 record against one of the toughest schedules leading up to the Olympic break, Indiana managed to regain its momentum and ended the regular season ranked sixth. With a lineup featuring the past two Rookies of the Year, Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark, Sides guided her team to the franchise's first WNBA playoff appearance since 2016.
Kelly Krauskopf, president of basketball operations for the Fever, recently praised Sides as "a strong leader" and "someone who fosters a great culture." In a statement on Sunday, Krauskopf emphasized the importance of being bold and proactive in achieving their objectives, including utilizing their talent to win another WNBA championship for Indiana.
Regarding her removal, Sides shared a straightforward message on X, stating, "Make sure to leave it in a better state than how you discovered it."
Following Krauskopf's hiring in September, the recent addition of GM/COO Amber Cox, and now the departure of Sides, Indiana is set to enter the 2025 season with completely fresh leadership.
Washington Mystics Part Ways With Thibault
The Thibault era in Washington has officially concluded. With the removal of the father-son duo, the Mystics will head into the 2025 season without a Thibault coaching from the sidelines for the first time since 2012.
After spending a decade supporting his father, Mike, as an assistant coach, Eric Thibault took the reins of the Mystics and guided the team to a 33-47 record over two seasons. In 2023, Washington made it to the playoffs but lost to New York in the first round. This year, however, the Mystics struggled with a 0-12 start and ended up just outside the playoff bracket in ninth place.
Prior to passing on the head coaching position to his son, Mike Thibault served as both the head coach and general manager of the Washington Mystics for a decade. Recognized as the WNBA Coach of the Year in 2013, he guided the Mystics to eight playoff appearances and played a crucial role in securing the team's inaugural championship title in 2019. Thibault leaves with a remarkable legacy, holding the record as the most successful coach in WNBA history, boasting a career record of 379 wins and 289 losses over 20 seasons—10 of which were with Washington and the other 10 with Connecticut.
"Coach Mike has significantly advanced the Mystics program, establishing it as a top innovator in the league, a leader in player well-being, and an exemplary franchise," said Michael Winger, president of Monumental Basketball, in a statement from the team. "His influence is deeply embedded in this organization and will remain evident for many years ahead."
Recent Surge Of Firings In The WNBA
Out of the WNBA's 12 teams, seven have recently changed their head coaches. In September, the LA Sparks and Chicago Sky said goodbye to Curt Miller and Teresa Weatherspoon, respectively. This month, the Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings followed their lead, dismissing Tanisha Wright and Latricia Trammell.
Changes in staff haven't just occurred among the coaching teams. Similar to Washington, both the Las Vegas Aces and Dallas Wings have also parted ways with their general managers.
Among head coaches and general managers, only the Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm, 2024 finalists Minnesota Lynx, and current champions New York Liberty have kept their leadership intact for the 2024 season.
