.png)
Mike Raimbault is returning to the Winnipeg Sea Bears for his fourth season, but has a new role.
The Manitoba native has been named the new head coach and general manager, taking over for Mike Taylor, whose contract will conclude shortly. Raimbault has served as an assistant coach, since the Sea Bears' inaugural season.
Raimbault's basketball roots run deep. He played college basketball in Brandon and has been the Head Coach of the University of Winnipeg Wesmen men’s team, making back-to-back Canada West Championship final appearances in 2023 and 2024. Last season, he led the Wesmen to a 16-4 regular season record, a program-best.
“We made a strategic decision to build the next steps of our organization with a team leader who is in our market on a year round basis, and to join other teams in the league who are developing Canadians coaching at the pro level. Mike Taylor did an amazing job for us but we feel we need some prairie dirt, Canadian shield and wheatfield soul in our DNA at this time,” said owner David Asper, a news release.
“Mike Raimbault has all of that, combined with three years serving as an assistant coach with the Sea Bears and a demonstrated career of national success at the highest levels of amateur basketball. We are looking forward to the 2026 season.”
The Sea Bears organization is excited for Raimbault to bring the hometown perspective as the head coach and general manager.
Raimbault says the new opportunity is an honour. “I’m honoured and excited to take on this new opportunity with the Winnipeg Sea Bears as the next step in my coaching career. I have been fortunate to be in the Sea Bears organization for the past three seasons and I’m looking forward to leading this tremendous franchise into the future,” said Raimbault in a news release.
“I am where I am today because of the support of my family as well as many mentors and influences in the basketball community. I am thankful to everyone who has played a part in my coaching journey. I owe a debt of gratitude to Mike Taylor for bringing me on his staff three years ago and I would not be able to fulfill this role without the unwavering support of the Wesmen Athletics family and our student-athletes.
"It is a pleasure to coach the Wesmen, and I’m grateful to be able to continue leading that program while taking on this exciting new role. I can’t wait to get to work.”
As the Sea Bears and Mike Taylor move in different directions, the organization thanks Taylor for guiding the club for the past three seasons. "His commitment to the organization, passion for the game, and connection with fans helped lay a strong foundation for the future of the Sea Bears. The team thanks him sincerely for his work in growing the game in Winnipeg and across the province," the team said in a news release.