THE Washington Mystics have hired Sydney Johnson as their next head coach and Jamila Wideman as general manager as Washington is poised to usher in a new era of leadership this offseason.
The decision to hire Johnson and Wideman came after Washington parted ways with both coach Eric Thibault and his father, Mystics general manager Mike Thibault, in October. Mike joined the franchise before the 2013 season as coach/general manager and led the Mystics to their first title in 2019, while Eric had been Washington’s head coach for the past two years after spent a decade as an assistant coach.
Johnson comes to Washington after serving as an assistant coach Chicago Sky last season. Prior to that, he was the associate head coach of the men’s basketball team at the United States Air Force Academy and the head coach of the Fairfield men’s program from 2011-2019, leading them to four playoff appearances. Johnson has also long been involved with USA Basketball and most recently served as head coach of the Team USA women’s AmeriCup 3×3 team, which won silver at the FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup in Puerto Rico this autumn. Washington hired a search firm to identify potential candidates.
“As a team, we will carry the core values that drive this franchise – excellence, friendliness, joy, competitiveness and accountability in everything we do – from the way we practice and play to the way we show up in the community, engage and inspire. our fan base,” Johnson said in a statement.
Wideman joins the Mystics after spending the last six years at NBA league office, where she most recently served as the league’s senior vice president of player development. In her role, she helped oversee the league’s player development initiatives, manage relationships with external organizations, and lead the league’s mental health and wellness platform.
In addition to her NBA experience, Wideman has experience as a player in the NBA. WNBA. After playing at Stanford, where she appeared in three consecutive Final Fours, Wideman was selected No. 3 by the The Sparks of Los Angeles during the 1997 WNBA Draft. She also later played with the Portland Fire and Cleveland Rockers.
“I have strong roots in the WNBA and have had the privilege of playing with, working alongside and witnessing the incredible people who are the athletes at the center of the game,” Wideman said in a statement. “The best I have seen share certain fundamental qualities: curiosity, humility and imagination. I look forward to building a Mystics team in partnership with the players, coaches and staff that reflects this core.
Wideman and Johnson will report to Monumental Basketball President Michael Winger. Monumental Basketball hired Winger in May 2023 as president of the parent company of the Mystics, the NBA G League’s Capital City Go-Go and the NBA’s Washington Wizards. These hires are his first two significant public hires with the Mystics since assuming the role.
Last season was a season of transition for Washington, the franchise’s longtime centerpiece. Natasha Cloud left via free agency and Elena Delle Given sitting outside. They started the 2024 season 0-12, but nearly made the playoffs despite a rash of injuries.
The Mystics won the 2019 WNBA title but have yet to advance out of a first-round series since.
With Johnson’s hiring, all seven WNBA head coaching positions have been filled. Dallas announced that he had hired Chris Koclanes also on December 23. THE The Aces of Las Vegas And Minnesota Lynx both still have openings from GM.
This article was originally published in Athletics.
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