Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Born | St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. | September 28, 1950|||||||||||||||||||||||
Career information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
College | Saint Martin's | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | General manager | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Coaching career | 1980–present | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Career history | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
As coach: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
1980–1982 | Los Angeles Lakers (assistant) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
1982–1986 | Chicago Bulls (assistant) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
1988 | Calgary 88's | |||||||||||||||||||||||
1989–1997 | Omaha Racers | |||||||||||||||||||||||
1998–2002 | Milwaukee Bucks (assistant) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2003–2012 | Connecticut Sun | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2013–2022 | Washington Mystics | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
As head coach:
As assistant coach:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medals
|
Michael Francis Thibault (born September 28, 1950) is an American former basketball head coach and current basketball general manager. He coached the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA, [1] and the Washington Mystics. [2] In 2013, Thibault became the all-time WNBA leader with his 212th head-coaching victory. [3]
Upon his graduation from Saint Martin's University in 1979, Thibault entered into the employ of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, for whom he worked first as a scout and, after 1980, as director of scouting and as an assistant coach; during Thibault's tenure, the Lakers twice won the league championship.
Thibault left the Lakers for the Chicago Bulls in 1982 and remained with the latter organization through the 1985-86 season, serving as an assistant coach and director of scouting; under Thibault, the team drafted shooting guard Michael Jordan and power forward Charles Oakley and acquired John Paxson, each of whom would contribute to the Bulls' earning six league championships between 1991 and 1999.
Thibault left the NBA for the World Basketball League in 1988 and served for two seasons as the head coach and franchise general manager for the Calgary 88's, winning the league's coach of the year award in 1988.
In 1989, Thibault began an eight-year stint as general manager and head coach of the Omaha Racers of the Continental Basketball Association, in which capacity he led the team to the league playoffs in each season; his team claimed the 1993 championship and once more reached the league finals one year thence.
Contemporaneously, Thibault worked for USA Basketball as a coach for the United States national team, leading the national side to a gold medal at the 1993 FIBA World Championship qualifying tournament and a silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games.
Thibault returned to the NBA during the league's 1997-98 season and, through 2003, served as a scout and assistant coach for each of the Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, and Seattle SuperSonics; most prominently, Thibault spent four seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks as an advisor and assistant to George Karl.
Thibault was hired by the Sun in March 2003 to replace Dee Brown; Thibault garnered the WNBA Coach of the Year Award subsequent to the 2006 season, when he led the Sun to the Eastern Conference finals. Thibault would again win the award in 2008 with the Sun.
On December 18, 2012, Thibault was introduced as the new head coach & general manager of the Washington Mystics. He led a revival of the team, getting them to the playoffs and earning a win there for the first time since 2004. For his efforts, Thibault once again earned the Coach of the Year award, joining Van Chancellor as the only coaches to win the award three times. [4] [5]
On July 7, 2018, when the Mystics beat the Los Angeles Sparks, Thibault became the first WNBA coach to reach 300 wins. [6]
In 2019, Thibault finally won his first WNBA championship as a head coach. He guided the Mystics to the team's first-ever championship in the 2019 WNBA Finals, as they defeated the Connecticut Sun. After the 2022 season, Thibault retired as head coach of the Mystics but remained general manager. His son, Eric, succeeded him as head coach. [7] Both were relieved of their duties on October 23, 2024, following the WNBA season. [8]
Thibault served as an assistant coach for the USA National team in 2006, a team in transition. Lisa Leslie, who had led the team in scoring in the 2004 Olympics, the 2002 World Championships, the 2000 Olympics, the 1998 World Championships, and the 1996 Olympics was no longer on the team. Sheryl Swoopes was available but hampered by injuries, with Staley transitioning from player to coach. Newcomers Sue Bird, Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi picked up the slack, but it was a team in transition. As an additional challenge, some members of the squad were unable to join the team for practices due to WNBA commitments. The team started out strong, winning each of the six preliminary games, including the game against Russia. In the quarterfinals, the USA team beat Spain 90–56. The semifinal was a rematch against Russia, but this time the Russian team prevailed, 75–68. The USA faced Brazil in the bronze medal game, and won easily 99–59. [9]
Thibault and his wife, Nanci, have two children. Their son, Eric, succeeded his father as head coach of the Mystics, serving in that role from 2023 to 2024. Their daughter, Carly, was named head coach at Fairfield University on April 11, 2022. [10]
Regular season | G | Games coached | W | Games won | L | Games lost | W–L % | Win–loss % |
Playoffs | PG | Playoff games | PW | Playoff wins | PL | Playoff losses | PW–L % | Playoff win–loss % |
Team | Year | G | W | L | W–L% | Finish | PG | PW | PL | PW–L% | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CON | 2003 | 34 | 18 | 16 | .529 | 3rd in East | 4 | 2 | 2 | .500 | Lost in Conference finals |
CON | 2004 | 34 | 18 | 16 | .529 | 1st in East | 8 | 5 | 3 | .625 | Lost in WNBA Finals |
CON | 2005 | 34 | 26 | 8 | .765 | 1st in East | 8 | 5 | 3 | .625 | Lost in WNBA Finals |
CON | 2006 | 34 | 26 | 8 | .765 | 1st in East | 5 | 3 | 2 | .600 | Lost in Conference finals |
CON | 2007 | 34 | 18 | 16 | .529 | 3rd in East | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | Lost in Conference semifinals |
CON | 2008 | 34 | 21 | 13 | .618 | 2nd in East | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | Lost in Conference semifinals |
CON | 2009 | 34 | 16 | 18 | .471 | 6th in East | — | — | — | — | Missed Playoffs |
CON | 2010 | 34 | 17 | 17 | .500 | 5th in East | — | — | — | — | Missed Playoffs |
CON | 2011 | 34 | 21 | 13 | .618 | 2nd in East | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 | Lost in Conference semifinals |
CON | 2012 | 34 | 25 | 9 | .735 | 1st in East | 5 | 3 | 2 | .600 | Lost in Conference finals |
WAS | 2013 | 34 | 17 | 17 | .500 | 3rd in East | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | Lost in Conference semifinals |
WAS | 2014 | 34 | 16 | 18 | .471 | 3rd in East | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 | Lost in Conference semifinals |
WAS | 2015 | 34 | 18 | 16 | .529 | 4th in East | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | Lost in Conference semifinals |
WAS | 2016 | 34 | 13 | 21 | .382 | 6th in East | - | - | - | - | Missed Playoffs |
WAS | 2017 | 34 | 18 | 16 | .529 | 3rd in East | 5 | 2 | 3 | .400 | Lost in Semifinals |
WAS | 2018 | 34 | 22 | 12 | .647 | 2nd in East | 9 | 4 | 5 | .444 | Lost in WNBA Finals |
WAS | 2019 | 34 | 26 | 8 | .765 | 1st in East | 9 | 6 | 3 | .667 | Won WNBA Championship |
WAS | 2020 | 22 | 9 | 13 | .409 | 3rd in East | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | Lost in First round |
WAS | 2021 | 32 | 12 | 20 | .375 | 4th in East | - | - | - | – | Missed Playoffs |
WAS | 2022 | 36 | 22 | 14 | .611 | 3rd in East | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | Lost in First round |
Career | 688 | 379 | 289 | .567 | 72 | 34 | 38 | .472 |
The Connecticut Sun are an American professional basketball team based in Uncasville, Connecticut, that competes in the Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team is currently the only major league professional sports team based in Connecticut.
The Washington Mystics are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Mystics compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member club of the league's Eastern Conference. The team was founded prior to the 1998 season, and is owned by Ted Leonsis through Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which also owns the Mystics' NBA counterpart, the Washington Wizards. The team plays in the Entertainment and Sports Arena in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington DC. Sheila C. Johnson, co-founder of BET and ex-wife of Charlotte Sting owner Robert L. Johnson, is the managing partner.
Asjha Takera Jones is a former American professional women's basketball power forward and coach who is now on the staff of the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). In 2019, she became the first person to win a WNBA title as both a player and a coach.
Corey Yasuto Gaines is an American professional basketball coach and former player. He played five seasons in the NBA, and was a four-time Israeli Premier League Assists Leader, in 1999 and in 2001 to 2003. He was also a former head coach of the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).
Lindsey Marcie Harding is an American professional basketball coach and former player. She is an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Throughout her playing career, Harding played for the Minnesota Lynx, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Los Angeles Sparks, New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and has played overseas in Turkey and Russia. She was previously a scout and a player development coach for the Philadelphia 76ers. She was born in Mobile, Alabama, but grew up in Houston, Texas, and also holds a Belarusian passport.
The 2004 WNBA Season was the Women's National Basketball Association's eighth season. The league had one fewer team than in 2003 as the Cleveland Rockers folded after the 2003 season. The season ended with the Seattle Storm winning their first WNBA Championship, as their head coach Anne Donovan became the first female coach to win a WNBA championship.
The 2006 WNBA Season was the Women's National Basketball Association's tenth season. The league added one team: the Chicago Sky. The Sky were the first expansion team since 2000 when the Indiana Fever, Miami Sol, Portland Fire, and the Seattle Storm came to the WNBA. On April 5, the WNBA held their draft. Seimone Augustus, guard out of Louisiana State University was the number one overall pick. She was selected by the Minnesota Lynx. Cappie Pondexter, guard out of Rutgers University went number two. She was selected by the Phoenix Mercury. The season started on May 20 with a game between the Sacramento Monarchs and the Phoenix Mercury. The game was televised by ABC. The Monarchs won the game 105–78. On July 12, The All Star Game was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The East All Stars defeated the West All Stars 98–82. Katie Douglas of the Connecticut Sun was named MVP in the game with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists. The 2006 WNBA season concluded on August 13. Lisa Leslie of the Los Angeles Sparks won the league MVP. Mike Thibault of the Connecticut Sun was named Coach of The Year. Seimone Augustus of the Minnesota Lynx was named Rookie of the Year. The season ended with the Detroit Shock winning their second WNBA Championship.
The 2008 WNBA season was the 12th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. It was the first WNBA season with a franchise in Atlanta as the Dream were announced in late 2007.
Victoria Andrea Bullett is an American former professional basketball player and current women's basketball head coach at West Virginia Wesleyan College. She played for the Charlotte Sting and Washington Mystics in the WNBA, as well as for European and South American professional teams, the U.S. Olympic team, and the University of Maryland Terrapins. Bullett played at various times as a center, small forward, and power forward. She was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.
Marynell Meadors is an American women's basketball coach at the college and professional level. She most recently served as head coach and general manager of the Atlanta Dream of the Women's National Basketball Association and was one of the original eight head coaches when the WNBA started in 1997.
The 2009 WNBA Season was the 13th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is the first WNBA season without a Houston franchise, the Comets having folded in December 2008. The season ended with the Phoenix Mercury winning their second championship in three years.
James Wade, known as Coco, is an American-French basketball assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
The 2010 WNBA season was the 14th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began with a televised (ESPN2) meeting between the defending champion Phoenix Mercury and the Los Angeles Sparks in Phoenix, Arizona on May 15. The Connecticut Sun hosted the 10th Annual All-Star Game which was broadcast live on ESPN on July 10. This year, it was a contest between Geno Auriemma's USA Basketball team and a single team of WNBA All-Stars. The Finals was a series between the Seattle Storm and the Atlanta Dream which Seattle won 3–0.
Cheryl Reeve is an American basketball head coach and President of Basketball Operations for the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA. Reeve has coached the Lynx to four league championships. In WNBA history, she has the highest winning percentage, she has won the most games of any female coach, and she has won the most postseason games of any coach. Reeve was named the WNBA Coach of the Year in 2011, 2016, 2020, and 2024 and WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year in 2019 and 2024. She is the first coach in WNBA history to be named Coach of the Year four times.
The 2011 WNBA season was the 15th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began on June 3 with the Los Angeles Sparks hosting the Minnesota Lynx, featuring 2011 WNBA draft top pick Maya Moore, in a game televised on NBA TV. Four games followed the next day, with the marquee matchup, televised on ABC, featuring the defending champion Seattle Storm and the Phoenix Mercury in Seattle.
The 2012 WNBA season was the 16th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began on May 18 and concluded on September 23 and playoffs started on September 27 and concluded on October 21.
Linda Hargrove is an American retired basketball coach. Hargrove began coaching the women's basketball team at Cowley College from 1972 to 1989 before coaching the Wichita State Shockers women's basketball team from 1989 to 1998. As a college basketball coach, Hargrove had 429 wins and 248 losses between the 1970s and 1990s. In 1998, Hargrove went to the American Basketball League to coach the Colorado Xplosion for a year until the league closed. From 2000 to 2002, Hargrove had 37 wins and 59 losses as the head coach and general manager of the Portland Fire.
The 2023 Washington Mystics season was the franchise's 26th season in the Women's National Basketball Association, and their first season under head coach Eric Thibault.
Eric Thibault is an American basketball coach who recently served as the head coach of the Washington Mystics of the WNBA. Thibault was previously an assistant coach for the Mystics since the 2013 season.
Carly Thibault-DuDonis is the women's basketball coach for Fairfield University since 2022. As a basketball player at Monmouth University, Thibault was named All-Northeast Conference in 2013 and scored 730 points overall. Her 106 career three points were in the top five for the school during 2024. Thibault began her career with Florida State University as their Director of Recruiting Operations during 2013. Throughout the remainder of the 2010s, she held assistant coaching positions with Eastern Michigan University, Mississippi State University and the University of Minnesota.