The WNBA offseason is already off to a chaotic start, with franchises playing musical chairs for head coaches. Out of the eight vacancies that popped up faster than a rookie’s three-point shot, five teams have settled on their new strategists. But three stubborn squads — the Washington Mystics, Connecticut Sun, and Dallas Wings — are still swiping left on every candidate as they search for their perfect match.
Let’s break down the drama, shall we?
Washington Mystics: A Double Dose of Dysfunction
The Mystics aren’t just looking for a head coach. No, no — they’ve decided to go all-in on the chaos by also hunting for a general manager. After a dismal 14-26 season, they cut ties with Eric Thibault, their head coach, and his dad, Mike Thibault, who was GM. Yes, father and son both got the boot — a Thanksgiving table to avoid this year.
Monumental Sports, the organization that owns the Mystics (as well as the NBA’s Wizards and NHL’s Capitals), has handed more control of the team to Michael Winger, its president of basketball. Winger is reportedly eyeing a more hands-on role with the Mystics, possibly trying to emulate that quirky NBA/WNBA synergy every team owner claims to perfect.
But let’s be honest — unless Winger has a coach-GM hybrid clone hidden in a lab somewhere, Mystics fans might want to temper their expectations for a swift turnaround.
Dallas Wings: Lottery Luck, Coaching Conundrum
Dallas has its priorities straight — they locked in a general manager, Curt Miller, right before winning the 2025 Draft Lottery and snagging the No. 1 pick. A nice consolation prize for a team with no head coach.
Miller is clearly confident the top pick will act as a magnet for coaching candidates. “It’s a dream job now, isn’t it? You’ve got me, a blank slate, and the hottest draft pick of 2025. What more could a coach want?” Miller quipped to reporters, probably while crafting his LinkedIn recruitment post.
Still, the Wings’ search continues, and let’s hope they find someone before Miller starts coaching from the GM’s chair. Stranger things have happened in the WNBA.
Connecticut Sun: Seeking Sunshine Year-Round
The Sun might not need sunscreen in the offseason, but they do need a coach who won’t pack up and leave once the regular season wraps. Stephanie White, who led the Sun to back-to-back semifinals appearances, has jumped ship to coach the Indiana Fever, leaving Connecticut in need of a year-round leader.
Team president Jen Rizzotti didn’t mince words, saying she wants someone “committed to Connecticut” and willing to invest in the team 24/7, 365. She also pointed out how “stable” the Sun organization has been over the years. Translation: “We don’t have the drama of some other franchises. Come on, it’s a dream gig!”
Let’s just hope the Sun don’t set on their search anytime soon — fans are eager for a coach who can finally push them past the semifinals.
What’s Next?
With the Golden State Valkyries expansion draft looming on December 6, the clock is ticking for these teams to lock in their leadership. The draft will shake up rosters, and if the Mystics, Wings, or Sun don’t have their coaching ducks in a row, they’ll be scrambling like players during a full-court press.
Stay tuned, WNBA fans. If this offseason has taught us anything, it’s that the league’s front offices are just as unpredictable as its nail-biting games.