Mystics To Announce New GM/Head Coach
No doubt many of our readers received an email this afternoon from the Mystics stating that tomorrow, Tuesday, at 4 PM, the team will be holding a press conference to announce the hiring of a new General Manager/Head Coach. The announcement will be streamed live on the Mystics' website.From information the BCs have received, every indication is that the person to be announced tomorrow will be Mike Thibault, former Head Coach of the Connecticut Sun. If Mike is introduced tomorrow, remember, you read it here first!
Assuming it does turn out to be Mike, the BCs believe his hiring will be a big step in the right direction for the Mystics, as the franchise tries to climb out of the deep hole it dug for itself over the past two seasons. Mike is an experienced, highly successful (and respected) coach who knows the WNBA inside and out. In his 10 years as Head Coach of the Sun, Thibault won just about everything there was to win except the brass ring of a WNBA Championship, which is why, as Mechelle Voepel wrote on ESPN, the Sun cut him loose earlier this fall.
Hopefully, Connecticut's loss will turn out to be Washington's gain. We're not expecting any overnight miracles. But a little hope, a little something to look forward to this summer . . . well, that's a good feeling (for a change).
posted by BasketCases @ 6:58 PM
16 comments
16 Comments:
I am happy to hear that we're not folding. I agree that Thibault will be a great start, but I still wish it was Lambier. Who else could tell the sheila to stick it and get away with it?
This is probably the best hire they could make. He's been successful. He knows personnel in the league. He knows the Mystics current team. He seems to make an effort to get out to college games. It won't change overnight, but it's got to be the right direction. Welcome Coach Thibault!
Interesting that both Ted and Sheila will be there for the announcement. I think that's a good sign, shows Ted has some investment in the team.
As little talent as the Mystics had last year, there were several games they could have won but for the woeful coaching, so I think they'll be somewhat better even without a talent upgrade. Thibault also seems to have a knack for developing players,which is certainly going to be required with this team.
I think I'm actually feeling a little excitement about the Mystics. Didn't think it was possible.
Players will want to play for Mike also. This is great for the Mystics.
I agree that he seems to have a good eye for finding players with future potential - from Ashia Jones to Jen Derevjanik - so look forward to a stronger roster. It's easy to see the Taurasis and Parkers - it's the diamonds in the rough that are tought to uncover.
As a fan, I'm happy that it appears that Thibault is the new head coach and he has a knack for developing talent on his rosters.
However, while existing fans may be happy, and there still needs to be more talent infused into the team in order to make it younger and more exciting.
I love the hire. I think it's a bit much to think WNBA teams develop players. They have them for a few months, with very little practice time. The vast majority of the year, the players are overseas somewhere.
The Mystics have officially confirmed Mike Thibault's appointment to both posts.
Mike Thibault brings instant -- and MUCH-NEEDED -- credibility to the team. I just watched the press conference and you can tell he knows the game, knows what he's doing, and knows how to plan on getting the best out of his players. His experience and track record is stellar and, while I'm not expecting instant miracles, at least I know the team is being guided by someone who won't do things so willy-nilly.
Welcome, Coach/GM Thibault!
So, will the new GM draft Tianna Hawkins at #4? I see her being projected at the #4 spot (and sometimes lower in the top 10 picks). As a Maryland fan, I'm proud of The Hawk - she's put in a ton of work and proven to any naysayers (to the extent that being missed by so-called recruiting experts constitutes having "naysayers") that she is a real special talent. We've been lucky to have her at Maryland - as a person and player. Wish we could have her 4 more years.
I think that Hawkins at #4 comes from a preconceived notion that the Mystics will try to pick a local player to cater to fans. Problem is that Hawkins plays the same position as Langhorne unless she is moved to the 5 perhaps.
Was at the event to meet Coach Thibault. He viewed the #4 pick as a chip for the future, where a player may be drafted and kept or perhaps for a deal. The biggest need he saw was for guards and three point shooters, since the team as is does have some size.
Coach Thibault gave an ominous statement that fans should not be disappointed if someone they like is gone because of the business aspect and need to build a winner. In addition, he never mentioned any player by name, so it appears that no one is untradeable.
We need guards. Love T Hawk but we are really lacking t the guard position, not at the 4. Tianna will go first round somewhere that needs her. She is a beast--love her as a player.
Actually, I heard the Laimbeer used the Mystics as leverage for the Liberty job. Also, as much bashing as Sheila has taken, which has been deserved, you also have to give her credit here. She wanted Thibault as soon as he became available, and will give him "carte blanche" in ALL on-court decisions. While she did a lot to alienate fans, to be fair, she also deserves credit for this.
I will never praise Sheila. She is a terrible owner. Terrible.
You can get video of tonight's game here: http://hensallaccess.bluehens.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?&id=541480&catid=0&KEY=&DB_OEM_ID=29100
Shiela Johnson has replaced Daniel Snyder as the worst sports team owner in Washington. At least Snyder tries to put a winner on the field and usually makes a lot of errors doing so.
Sheila made the Mystics fans suffer two years with Trudi Lacey, being too frugal not to pay off her contract by firing her early and hire a decent coach instead.
It will take more that just hiring Mike Thibault to fix the public relations disaster Shiela Johnson created these last two seasons, but my 2 year boycott of this franchise is over!
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