Orlando Pride Elevate Yolanda Thomas to Permanent Head Coach

The Orlando Pride announced on Thursday the promotion of Yolanda Thomas to permanent head coach, marking a historic milestone as she becomes the first Black woman to serve in the position across the 14-year existence of the NWSL. Thomas initially joined the Florida franchise as an assistant in March 2023 and stepped into the interim managerial post on August 31 following the departure of Seb Hines.

During a difficult campaign that eventually saw the squad miss the postseason after finishing 11th on November 1, Thomas navigated a challenging transitional phase. Despite the team sitting 12th in a 16-team table when she first took charge, the newly appointed coach insisted on undergoing a rigorous, full interview cycle rather than accepting an uncontested appointment to safeguard the integrity of her historic achievement.

Club chairman and owner Mark Wilf noted that Thomas stood out as the ideal candidate to guide the organization into its next era following an extensive search. Her previous résumé includes leading Fortuna Tulsa in the WPSL, managing Rogers State University, coaching U.S. youth national team camps, and holding a USSF A License while pursuing her Pro License.

What to watch next: The Pride face a significant offseason roster overhaul, having recently released an end-of-season update featuring multiple free agents, including Brazilian legend Marta, while securing star forward Barbra Banda through 2029.