Orlando Pride appoints Yolanda Thomas as first Black female head coach
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 12, 2026, 4:16 PM
Last updated Nov 12, 2026
The Orlando Pride has named Yolanda Thomas as their permanent head coach, making her the first Black woman to hold the position in NWSL history. Thomas joined the Pride as an assistant coach in March 2023 and stepped up to interim head coach in August after the departure of Seb Hines. She expressed pride and honor in leading the team, which finished the season in 11th place after being eliminated from playoff contention. Thomas aims to ensure her appointment is viewed as a merit-based decision amidst a national discussion on diversity in coaching roles. She previously coached Fortuna Tulsa and held various coaching positions in Oklahoma, earning her USSF A License while working toward the USSF Pro License.
- •Yolanda Thomas is the first Black female head coach in NWSL.
- •Thomas promoted from interim head coach to permanent role.
- •Pride finished the season in 11th place, missing playoffs.
- •Thomas previously coached Fortuna Tulsa and held key roles at Oklahoma institutions.
- •The team released several players, including Brazil icon Marta, as free agents.
- 4:16 PMYahoo Sports — Orlando Pride hire Yolanda Thomas as first permanent Black female head coach in NWSL
"The Orlando Pride have promoted Yolanda Thomas from interim to permanent head coach, the club announced Thursday. She is the first Black woman to serve in that role at any club in the 14-year history of the NWSL. “This is a club that I have poured a lot of sweat equity into for a few years now,” Thomas told The Athletic in a phone call ahead of the announcement. “It was a heartfelt choice, probably more so than most of these types of roles, because I feel like this is home and this club means a
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