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The Orlando Pride announced Monday that they fired head coach Seb Hines, effective immediately. Departing the club alongside Hines is goalkeeper coach Paul Crichton. Assistant coach Yolanda Thomas has been appointed interim head coach following\u00a0Hines\u2019 departure.<\/p>\n Hines took over leading the Pride as interim head coach in June 2022 when Amanda Cromwell was placed on administrative leave. He quickly impressed and signed a multi-year contract to become head coach of the Pride, removing the interim tag in November 2022. Hines was the NWSL\u2019s first Black head coach when promoted and later became the first to win a trophy as he led his team to win the 2024 NWSL Shield. The 2024 NWSL Coach of the Year completed the domestic double when the Pride won the 2024 NWSL Championship.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to express our gratitude to Seb for the dedication, leadership and professionalism he brought to\u00a0the club during his time with us,\u201d said Caitlin Carducci, Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Operations & General\u00a0Manager, in a statement. \u201cHe will always have a special place in our history for helping lead the Pride to levels it had never\u00a0reached before. However, as we look toward the club\u2019s long-term vision and future objectives, we believe\u00a0that this is the appropriate time for a leadership change. We are grateful for all that Seb has contributed\u00a0and wish him nothing but success in the next chapter of his career.\u201d<\/p>\n Since the 2024 season, the Pride didn\u2019t win more trophies but still found success. In 2025, Orlando finished fourth in the standings and made it to the semifinals, where they lost to eventual champions Gotham FC. This season has been more difficult for the Pride as they sit in 12th place with a 8-12-2 (W-L-D) record. But they are only five points out of position to qualify for the playoffs.<\/p>\n Hines\u2019 regular season record as head coach of the Pride is 50-40-21. On August 23, he became the sixth NWSL coach to 50 wins when Orlando defeated the Washington Spirit 1-0.<\/p>\n \u201cSeb leaves an undeniable legacy with the Pride,\u201d said Mark Wilf, Orlando Pride Owner & Chairman, in a statement. \u201cHis\u00a0commitment to our players, his staff and this club helped deliver some of the most important moments in\u00a0our history. Beyond the results, he helped establish a culture that elevated expectations for what this\u00a0organization could achieve. We are thankful for everything Seb has contributed and wish him and his family\u00a0the very best moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n Hines\u2019 replacement, Thomas, has served as an assistant coach for the Pride since joining the club ahead of the 2023 season. At the same time, Thomas also served as head coach for the U-23 U.S. women\u2019s youth national team during two camps in 2025. Before her time in Orlando, Thomas coached Tulsa Soccer Club and Fortuna Tulsa of the Women\u2019s Premier\u00a0Soccer League. She led the organization to Franchise of the Year honors in 2019 and 2021 while earning\u00a02019 WPSL Red River Conference Coach of the Year recognition.<\/p>\n
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