On Saturday, the Minnesota Lynx announced they have added former Washington Mystics head coach Eric Thibault as associate head coach and former Lynx point guard Lindsay Whalen as assistant coach. The news comes nearly one week ahead of the expansion draft for the Golden State Valkyries and a month after the Mystics mutually parted ways with Thibault.
Thibault was the Mystics’ head coach for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, after serving as the team’s associate head coach in 2019, and assistant coaching for 10 seasons prior. During his time in Washington, Thibault helped the team to nine postseason appearances, including two as head coach. He was also played a key role in their back-to-back WNBA Finals appearances in 2018 as well as 2019, when they won the WNBA Championship — the first for the franchise.
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“I’m thrilled to be joining [head coach Cheryl Reeve]’s staff and to be part of the Minnesota Lynx organization,” said Thibault. “The players and staff have built an incredible winning culture, and I’m excited to do my part as we pursue a WNBA Championship.”
Minnesota shared the news on X, formally known as Twitter, with the caption “welcome to Minnesota, Eric!”
For Whalen, this will be her first WNBA coaching position. Previously, she served as the head coach of the women’s basketball program at her alma mater, the University of Minnesota, from 2018-2023. Whalen was drafted by the Connecticut Sun in 2004 and played with them until 2009 before joining the Lynx from 2010-2018. Minnesota eventually retired her No. 13 jersey in 2019. Whalen was also inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022 and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.
Throughout her time as a pro, Whalen earned four WNBA Championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) with Minnesota, five All-WNBA designations and five All-Star selections. She has also been included on the WNBA’s Top20@20 and The W25 lists, recognizing her as one of the top players of all time.
“I’m so excited to be back with the Lynx and back with [Reeve] and [Rebekkah Brunson],” Whalen said. “Eric and I have also known each other for a long time, and for me, I couldn’t imagine joining a better staff as I return to coaching and get my first opportunity to coach in the WNBA. We have a special group with this team and I can’t wait to get to work.”
The Minnesota Lynx announced Whalen’s return to the franchise on X. “WELCOME BACK, WHAY,” the caption reads.
“I am excited to add both Eric and Lindsay to our coaching staff,” Reeve said. “Eric has vast experience coaching in the WNBA as both a head and an assistant coach and is a WNBA Champion. Lindsay adds a unique perspective as a Lynx legend and Naismith Hall of Famer. I look forward to working with both in our quest for another WNBA Championship.”
