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Washington Mystics promote Eric Thibault

By Carly Grenfell

18 June 2014: Washington coaches (from L-R) Eric Thibault, Mike Thibault, and Marianne Stanley in Atlanta Dream 93-83 victory over the Washington Mystics at Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Darrell Walker/Icon SMI/Corbis via Getty Images)
18 June 2014: Washington coaches (from L-R) Eric Thibault, Mike Thibault, and Marianne Stanley in Atlanta Dream 93-83 victory over the Washington Mystics at Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Darrell Walker/Icon SMI/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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A promotion for the scion of the women’s basketball Kennedys.

Eric Thibault is making moves in Washington.

He has been promoted to Associate Head Coach, Washington Mystics general manager and head coach Mike Thibault announced Wednesday. Eric’s contributions to the franchise, dating back to 2013, have ranged from game planning and college scouting to salary cap management and technology advancements.

Over the last six years, he’s had the chance to learn from not only the winningest coach in WNBA history, but his boss and his father. Coach Mike Thibault’s time learning and understanding the NBA and WNBA landscape began in 1978. Since then, he’s reached a handful of significant milestones as a coach in the WNBA—grooming his son along the way.

Eric has played a significant role in player development at the guard position during his time with the Mystics. This past season, he coached up Natasha Cloud, a candidate for Most Improved Player of the Year in 2018, and Ariel Atkins, a member of the 2018 All-Rookie team—both of whom were key in Washington’s first trip to the WNBA Finals in 2018.

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His exposure to WNBA talent and developing players dates back to his time as a college student. He spent five years with the Connecticut Sun, where he led workouts for players like Lindsay Whalen and Kara Lawson. Fast forward to 2019 and Lindsay Whalen, in her first season at the helm of Minnesota hoops, now coaches with Eric’s sister, Carly Thibault.

Thibault bounced around a few women’s college programs as well, including the University of Missouri, St. John’s and Virginia Commonwealth. In 2012, Thibault had a front row seat to St. John’s trip to the Sweet Sixteen.

The Mystics will look to make another run in the WNBA Finals this year with the Thibaults leading the charge. Washington ended the 2018 campaign with an overall record of 22-12, second in the Eastern Conference standings behind Atlanta.

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