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Mystics head coach Mike Thibault signs contract extension

By Mike Peden

WASHINGTON, DC -  MAY 14: Mike Thibault of the Washington Mystics during the game against the San Antonio Stars on May 14, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -  MAY 14: Mike Thibault of the Washington Mystics during the game against the San Antonio Stars on May 14, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Mike Thibault era at Washington will encompass the remainder of this decade.

On Wednesday, the Mystics announced that Thibault signed a four-year contract extension. The new deal means Thibault will maintain his post as Washington’s head coach through 2020.

“It is an exciting time to be a Mystics player, coach, staff member, or fan. It has been a total rebuilding process that is coming to fruition and I am looking forward to the many great years ahead with this excellent core group of players that we have been able to put together,” Thibault said in a statement.

The Summitt learned from a source close to the team that Thibault had signed his extension some time ago, as his prior contract expired last month. Coincidentally, his new contract length mirrors that of Elena Delle Donne, ensuring that Washington’s nucleus will stay intact for a while.

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 29: Head coach, Mike Thibault of the Washington Mystics huddles after a play against the San Antonio Stars on June 29, 2016 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 29: Head coach, Mike Thibault of the Washington Mystics huddles after a play against the San Antonio Stars on June 29, 2016 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Thibault, 66, has accomplished virtually everything outside of winning a WNBA title. Now in his 15th season as a WNBA head coach, he holds the league record for most career victories with 271. Thibault is only one of two coaches in league history to earn three Coach of the Year awards.

Prior to Washington, Thibault spent 10 seasons as head coach for Connecticut. Surprisingly, he was fired by the Sun in 2012, when the team posted a 25-9 regular season record and reached the Eastern Conference Finals. His unemployment didn’t last long, with the Mystics naming him head coach and general manager that winter.

Although Thibault has yet to win a playoff series with the Mystics, he has received considerable praise for making contenders out of teams with little star power. With Delle Donne and Kristi Toliver now part of his regime, Thibault has plenty of top-name talent to illustrate his coaching acumen.

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