Orlando Pride fire head coach Seb Hines

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 Hines’ departure.

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’s 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.

“We want to express our gratitude to Seb for the dedication, leadership and professionalism he brought to the club during his time with us,” said Caitlin Carducci, Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Operations & General Manager, in a statement. “He 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’s 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.”

Since the 2024 season, the Pride didn’t 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.

Hines’ 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.

“Seb leaves an undeniable legacy with the Pride,” said Mark Wilf, Orlando Pride Owner & Chairman, in a statement. “His commitment to our players, his staff and this club helped deliver some of the most important moments in our history. Beyond the results, he helped establish a culture that elevated expectations for what this organization could achieve. We are thankful for everything Seb has contributed and wish him and his family the very best moving forward.”

Hines’ 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’s youth national team during two camps in 2025. Before her time in Orlando, Thomas coached Tulsa Soccer Club and Fortuna Tulsa of the Women’s Premier Soccer League. She led the organization to Franchise of the Year honors in 2019 and 2021 while earning 2019 WPSL Red River Conference Coach of the Year recognition.