The Washington Mystics have hired Sydney Johnson as their next head coach and Jamila Wideman as their general manager as Washington is set to usher in a new era of leadership this offseason.
The decision to hire both Johnson and Wideman came after Washington parted ways with both coach Eric Thibault and his father, Mystics general manager Mike Thibault, in October. Mike joined the franchise ahead of the 2013 season as its coach/general manager and led the Mystics to their first title in 2019, while Eric had been Washington’s head coach the last two years after previously spending a decade as an assistant coach.
Johnson comes to Washington after serving as an assistant coach with the Chicago Sky last season. Before that he was the associate head coach of the men’s basketball team at the United States Air Force Academy and the head coach of the Fairfield men’s program from 2011-2019, leading them to four postseason appearances. Johnson has also long been involved with USA Basketball, and most recently served as the head coach of Team USA’s 3×3 women’s AmeriCup team, which took silver at the FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup in Puerto Rico this fall. Washington hired a search firm to identify prospective candidates.
“As a team, we will carry the core values that drive this franchise — excellence, togetherness, joy, competitiveness, and accountability through everything we do — from the way we practice and play to how we show up in the community and engage and inspire our fanbase,” Johnson said in a statement.
Wideman comes to the Mystics after spending the last six years at the NBA league office, where she most recently was the league’s senior vice president of player development. In her role, she helped oversee the league’s player development initiatives, managed relationships with external organizations, and spearheaded the league’s mental health and wellness platform.
In addition to her experience at the NBA, Wideman has playing experience in the WNBA. After suiting up at Stanford, where she made three consecutive Final Fours, Wideman was selected No. 3 by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 1997 WNBA Draft. She also later played with the Portland Fire and Cleveland Rockers.
“I have strong roots in the WNBA and have had the privilege of playing with, working alongside, and witnessing the incredible people who are the athletes at the center of the game,” Wideman said in a statement. “The very best I have seen share some core qualities — curiosity, humility, and imagination. I look forward to building a Mystics team in partnership with the players, coaches, and staff that reflects this core.”
Both Wideman and Johnson will report to Monumental Basketball president Michael Winger. Monumental Basketball hired Winger in May 2023 as the president of the parent company of the Mystics, the NBA G League’s Capital City Go-Go and the NBA’s Washington Wizards. These hires are his first two significant public hires with the Mystics since assuming the role.
Last season was one of transition for Washington, as longtime franchise centerpiece Natasha Cloud departed via free agency and Elena Delle Donne sat out. They began the 2024 season 0-12 but came within a game of making the playoffs despite a wave of injuries.
The Mystics won the 2019 WNBA title but have yet to advance out of a first-round series since.
With their hiring of Johnson, all seven WNBA head coach openings have been filled. Dallas announced it had hired Chris Koclanes on Dec. 23 as well. The Las Vegas Aces and Minnesota Lynx both still have GM openings.
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