{"id":387109,"date":"2026-09-01T11:38:31","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T11:38:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/387109\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T11:38:31","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T11:38:31","slug":"orlando-pride-part-ways-with-head-coach-seb-hines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/387109\/","title":{"rendered":"Orlando Pride part ways with head coach Seb Hines"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Orlando Pride have parted ways with head coach Seb Hines, the club announced<\/a> Monday afternoon.<\/p>\n

Hines, who guided the Pride to their first National Women\u2019s Soccer League shield and championship in 2024, will be replaced by assistant head coach Yolanda Thomas, who was appointed interim manager.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to express our gratitude to Seb for the dedication, leadership and professionalism he brought to the Club during his time with us,\u201d Pride vice president of soccer operations and general manager Caitlin Carducci said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe will always have a special place in our history for helping lead the Pride to levels it had never reached before. However, as we look toward the Club\u2019s long-term vision and future objectives, we believe that this is the appropriate time for a leadership change. We are grateful for all that Seb has contributed and wish him nothing but success in the next chapter of his career.\u201d<\/p>\n

Forever a part of our history \ud83d\udc9c<\/p>\n

The Orlando Pride has parted ways with head coach Seb Hines. Departing the Club alongside Hines is goalkeeper coach Paul Crichton.<\/p>\n

More details at https:\/\/t.co\/BlhoT8S9zA<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/4kjrtv5aNR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) August 31, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Orlando\u2019s announcement comes just over a month after former Pride assistant coach Giles Barnes stepped away from the club to accept a new role as head coach at Al Qadsiah FC in the Saudi Women\u2019s Premier League.<\/p>\n

It is unclear whether Hines left the club to pursue other opportunities. When reached by The Athletic, Orlando declined further comment.<\/p>\n

The 38-year-old former Orlando City player in MLS first stepped into the Pride head coaching role in an interim capacity in October 2022 following the firing of ex-head coach Amanda Cromwell<\/a>. That transition followed an investigation into allegations of misconduct against Cromwell and then-assistant coach Sam Greene, who were found to have violated the league\u2019s policy on discrimination, harassment and bullying.<\/p>\n

The club promoted Hines a month later, and he hired Thomas ahead of the 2023 season.<\/p>\n

When the Pride won their historic double in 2024, Hines became the first Black head coach in NWSL history to lift a trophy \u2014 and alongside a majority Black coaching staff in Giles and Thomas.<\/p>\n

The seasons that have followed those accomplishments have been fraught with change and challenges. While the Pride reached the NWSL playoffs last season, they were knocked out in the semifinals at home to eventual winners Gotham FC. Shortly thereafter, Haley Carter, who\u2019d served as the Pride\u2019s general manager at the time, announced that she was stepping down<\/a> and eventually became<\/a> president of soccer operations with the Washington Spirit.<\/p>\n

The Pride have struggled with consistency this season and are 8-12-2 (win-loss-draw) and in 12th place out of 16 teams in the NWSL.<\/p>\n

They are five points below the playoff line. Their next match \u2014 which will be Thomas\u2019 first as interim head coach \u2014 is scheduled for Sunday at home against the Houston Dash.<\/p>\n