Orlando Pride Name Yolanda Thomas Head Coach

The Orlando Pride have taken the iterim tag off Yolanda Thomas’ title, naming the former club assistant coach the fifth head coach in the NWSL franchise’s history today. Historically, that makes Thomas the first Black female head coach in the league’s history.

Thomas took over on an interim basis after the club parted ways with Seb Hines on Aug. 31, leading the club to a record of 3-4-1 in the final eight matches of the regular season after the Pride had gone 8-12-2 under Hines.

‘“This is a deeply meaningful moment for me both professionally and personally,” Thomas said in a club press release. “I want to thank Mark Wilf, Caitlin Carducci and the entire organization for their trust and belief…