The Minnesota Lynx have made significant additions to their coaching team by bringing on board former player Lindsay Whalen and ex-Washington Mystics coach Eric Thibault. This announcement was made on Saturday, marking a promising shift for the franchise.

“I am thrilled to welcome both Eric and Lindsay to our coaching staff,” remarked Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve. “Eric brings a wealth of experience from his time in the WNBA, both as a head coach and an assistant, and he is a champion in this league. Lindsay gives us a distinct viewpoint as a legendary player for the Lynx and a member of the prestigious Naismith Hall of Fame. I eagerly anticipate collaborating with both as we aim for yet another WNBA title.”

Thibault, who recently parted ways with the Mystics, will step into the role of associate head coach for the Lynx. “I’m very excited to join Cheryl’s staff and contribute to the Minnesota Lynx organization,” Thibault commented. “The players and staff have established an impressive winning culture here, and I look forward to helping in our mission to secure a WNBA championship.”

In his last two seasons, Thibault served as the head coach for the Mystics after spending a decade as an assistant coach with the team.

Whalen, a key player in securing four WNBA championships for the Lynx from 2011 to 2017, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022. “I am absolutely thrilled to return to the Lynx and reunite with Coach and Becky (Rebekkah Brunson),” said Whalen. “Eric and I have known each other for a long time, and I can’t think of a better coaching staff to join as I embark on my coaching career and take on my first role in the WNBA.”

Following her retirement, Whalen took the reins as head coach at the University of Minnesota, her alma mater. Prior to her time with the Lynx, she had played for the Connecticut Sun under the guidance of Eric’s father, Mike Thibault. Whalen had also brought on Eric’s sister, Carly, as the associate head coach during her tenure at Minnesota.

Last season, the Lynx made a notable return to the WNBA Finals for the first time since Whalen’s playing days, although they narrowly lost to the New York Liberty in a dramatic Game 5.

The offseason has also seen changes within the coaching unit as former associate head coach Katie Smith departed to take on a coaching role at Ohio State, her alma mater.