Canada Basketball, women's coach Lisa Thomaidis part ways after Olympic disappointment

Canada Basketball says it has mutually agreed to part ways with senior women's head coach Lisa Thomaidis two days before her contract was to expire.

Thomaidis said in a news release it was "the highest honour and absolute privilege" to guide the team for nine years. Ranked fourth in the world, Canada made consecutive Olympic appearances under the Dundas, Ont., native, including this past summer in Tokyo.

"Through everyone's passion and dedication, we elevated our program to where it is today," said Thomaidis, who compiled an 83-44 record. "As I step aside, I do so with immense pride and satisfaction knowing that I gave everything I had to the program."

Under Thomaidis' guidance, Canada also earned gold medals at the 2015 Pan Am Games, 2015 FIBA Americas Women's Championship and FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2017.

"After careful consideration and discussion with Lisa, we both recognize that this is a necessary step that our program must make in our continued pursuit of a place on the podium at the highest of international competitions, as well as for Lisa, both personally and professionally," Denise Dignard, general manager and executive vice-president of women's high performance, said in a statement.

"There is no doubt that Lisa has been instrumental in the long-term growth and success of this team, including leading us to a program-best fourth in the FIBA World Rankings."

Canada's women failed to earn a quarter-final berth at the Tokyo Olympics on a point differential tiebreaker after posting a 1-2 record in group play. The team lost in the quarter-finals in each of the previous two Olympics.