Orlando Pride fire head coach Seb Hines
The Orlando Pride fired head coach Seb Hines with eight games remaining in the NWSL season and the team in 12th place. Assistant coach Yolanda Thomas will serve as interim head coach.
Hines led Orlando to the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship in 2024, when the Pride set records for most points, wins and clean sheets in a season and started the campaign unbeaten through 23 games. He was named NWSL Coach of the Year for that performance.
Orlando has struggled this season, particularly in scoring. Forward Barbra Banda has 13 goals, which account for half of the team's total. The Pride are five points outside of the playoff positions and lost 2-1 to Utah Royals on Saturday.
Orlando VP of soccer operations and general manager Caitlin Carducci said in a statement that the club is expressing gratitude to Hines for his dedication and leadership, adding that the decision was made as the club looks toward its long-term vision and future objectives.
Hines had been with the organization for over a decade as a player and coach. He played for Orlando City, the MLS team that shares ownership with the Pride, from 2015-2017 before moving into coaching. He became the first full-time Black head coach in the NWSL.
Goalkeeper coach Paul Crichton, who had been with the club since 2023, is also departing.