The Washington Mystics hired Jamila Wideman as the franchise’s new general manager and Sydney Johnson as the team’s coach on December 23.
Wideman joins the Mystics after spending six years in the NBA league office, where she most recently served as senior vice president of player development. Johnson has worked with USA Basketball for the past five years and was an assistant coach with the Chicago Sky last season.
“Jamila’s breadth of experience, range of core skills and passion for developing the whole athlete make her the ideal person to usher in the new era of Mystics Basketball,” said the team president Michael Winger. “Similarly, Sydney brings an exceptional combination of insight, tenacity and empathy that will elevate our game and galvanize the team around the new direction of this championship franchise.”
Wideman was part of the first WNBA draft class, going to the Los Angeles Sparks with the third pick. She also played with the Portland Fire and the Cleveland Rockers.
“I have strong roots in the WNBA and have had the privilege of playing, working alongside and witnessing incredible people who are the athletes at the center of the game,” she said. “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 helped oversee the NBA’s player development initiatives, manage relationships with external organizations and lead the league’s mental health and wellness platform.
Johnson began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Georgetown University and later served as head coach at his alma mater, Princeton University, where Johnson earned back-to-back honors. Ivy League Coach of the Year (2008-09, 2009-10). He spent his childhood in the Baltimore area and attended Towson Catholic High School.
He then served as head coach at Fairfield from 2011 to 2019.
“The appointments of Jamila and Sydney today represent a pivotal moment for the Mystics and our fans – the best fans in the WNBA,” said Ted Leonsis, owner of the Washington Mystics and chairman and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “As I commemorate my 20th anniversary as owner of the Mystics in 2025, I am energized by the vision that Michael, Jamila and Sydney have to instill and promote a culture of performance, achievement, empathy and “innovation for many years to come.”
They replace Mike Thibault and Eric Thibault as general manager and coach. The Mystics finished that season 14-26, narrowly missing the playoffs. Washington started the year with 12 straight losses and had to deal with injuries to Shakira Austin and Brittney Sykes. The team also underwent major changes this offseason with Elena Delle Donne out and Natasha Cloud leaving for Phoenix.
With Johnson’s hiring, all seven vacant coaching positions have been filled.
