Cheryl Reeve Breaks WNBA Coaching Wins Record

Historic Win Pushes Reeve Past Thibault

The Minnesota Lynx rode a balanced attack to a 86‑80 road victory over the Connecticut Sun, propelling Cheryl Reeve into the record books as the winningest coach in WNBA history. The triumph matched Mike Thibault’s regular‑season total of 379 wins and pushed Reeve to 380 career victories. “I’m so glad this is over,” Reeve said in the postgame broadcast, reflecting on the milestone. She added that she learned “a tremendous amount” from Thibault and expects another coach to eventually surpass her mark.

Reeve’s 16‑6 ledger this season underscores her ability to navigate change while staying atop the league. The Lynx currently lead the standings with a net rating of 11.8, the best in the WNBA despite missing franchise player Napheesa Collier. Scoring contributions from Kayla McBride (23 points), Courtney Williams (12), Natasha Howard (12) and Dorka Juhász (12 off the bench) illustrated a deep roster capable of winning without its star.

Roster Shake‑Up and Strategic Moves

Prior to the campaign, Minnesota lost two defensive anchors—Alanna Smith (2025 Co‑Defensive Player of the Year) and Jessica Shepard—to the Dallas Wings. A bid for Nneka Ogwumike fell short, but the team retained its second‑ and third‑leading scorers in Williams and McBride. Collier’s absence, however, stems from offseason surgery on both ankles, leaving a noticeable void in the frontcourt.

Reeve countered by re‑signining Natasha Howard, the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, and adding Nia Coffey, a 10‑year WNBA veteran, both to two‑year contracts. The most notable acquisition came via a 2024 draft‑day trade with the Chicago Sky, delivering the No. 2 overall pick that was used to select Olivia Miles. Miles, despite a right‑calf issue keeping her out of two straight games, praised Reeve’s player‑development approach, noting how Howard is “playing some of her best basketball of her career.”

Coaching pedigree and league firsts

Often hailed as a four‑time champion and four‑time Coach of the Year, Reeve began her WNBA coaching journey in 2010 after eight seasons as an assistant, including Detroit Shock’s final four years (2006‑2009) when the Shock reached three Finals and captured two titles. She added general manager duties in 2017 and was promoted to president of Lynx basketball operations in 2022, remaining the only dual coach‑general manager in the league.

Her tenure turned the Lynx into a dynasty: between 2011 and 2017 the franchise secured four championships and six Finals appearances. Former Lynx stars Rebekkah Brunson and Lindsay Whalen now serve as assistants, Brunson having been part of all but 18 of Reeve’s wins and Whalen accounting for 247 of those regular‑season victories. Eric Thibault joined the staff last year, continuing a lineage that stretches back to Mike Thibault’s era.

Legacy, rivalry and Olympic glory

Reeve and Mike Thibault built a preseason tradition of joint practices before exhibition games, a habit that extended to the 2024 Paris Olympics where they captured gold together, Reeve as head coach and Thibault as an assistant. In Thibault’s final season before retiring (2022), he earned his 273rd career win in what proved to be his last matchup against Reeve’s Lynx.

The elder Thibault reflected on the rivalry, stating, “If anybody was going to break it, I’m happy it’s her. I think it will sit for a long time, too, because we have a lot of young coaches in the league with a long way to go.” He also joked about helping his son, Eric, as Lindsay Whalen credited “a whole bunch of my wins” to his contributions, underscoring the interwoven histories of two coaching families.

What This Record Means for the WNBA

Surpassing a record that many thought would stand for years demonstrates Reeve’s consistency amid roster turnover and injuries. Her ability to blend veteran leadership with youthful talent has set a new benchmark for coaching sustainability. As the league watches the next generation of coaches emerge, Reeve’s achievement serves as both inspiration and a tall order.

Looking ahead, the Lynx will aim to build on their No. 1 positioning while navigating Collier’s continued absence. If they sustain their current net rating and depth scoring, the team could challenge for another championship, extending a legacy that already includes four titles and a record‑breaking coaching career.