The Washington Mystics have appointed Jamila Wideman as the franchise’s new general manager and Sydney Johnson as the team’s head coach. Wideman comes to the Mystics after a six-year tenure at the NBA league office, where she most recently held the position of senior vice president of player development. Johnson, on the other hand, brings experience from working with USA Basketball over the past five years and serving as an assistant coach with the Chicago Sky in the previous season.
Michael Winger, the team president, expressed confidence in the new hires, stating, “Jamila’s breadth of experience, range of core competencies, and passion for developing the whole athlete, makes her the ideal person to usher in the new era of Mystics Basketball. Similarly, Sydney brings an exceptional combination of acumen, tenacity, and empathy that will elevate our play and galvanize the team around the new direction for this championship franchise.”
Wideman, who was a part of the inaugural WNBA draft class and played for teams like the Los Angeles Sparks, Portland Fire, and Cleveland Rockers, shared her excitement about returning to the WNBA scene. “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,” she said. “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.”
During her time at the NBA league office, Wideman played a key role in overseeing player development initiatives, managing relationships with external organizations, and spearheading the league’s mental health and wellness platform.
Johnson’s coaching journey started at Georgetown University as an assistant coach before moving on to become the head coach at his alma mater, Princeton University. Johnson achieved consecutive Ivy League Coach of the Year Honors in 2008-09 and 2009-10 during his tenure at Princeton. His coaching experience also includes a head coaching position at Fairfield from 2011-19.
Ted Leonsis, the owner of the Washington Mystics and Monumental Sports & Entertainment chairman and CEO, expressed optimism about the future with the new leadership team. “Today’s appointments of Jamila and Sydney represent a pivotal moment for the Mystics and our fans — the best fans in the WNBA,” he said. “As I commemorate 20 years as owner of the Mystics in 2025, I am energized by the vision Michael, Jamila, and Sydney have for instilling and driving a culture of performance, achievement, empathy, and innovation for many years to come.”
The appointments of Wideman and Johnson mark a significant transition for the Mystics, as they take over from Mike Thibault and Eric Thibault as GM and coach. The Mystics had a challenging season, finishing with a record of 14-26 and narrowly
