Winnipeg, MB – The Winnipeg Sea Bears announced today that Mike Raimbault has been named the team’s new General Manager and Head Coach, taking over for Mike Taylor, whose contract will conclude shortly. Alongside his new role with the Sea Bears, Raimbault will continue leading the University of Winnipeg men’s basketball team as Head Coach.
A familiar face to Winnipeg basketball fans, Raimbault returns for his fourth season with the Sea Bears after guiding the University of Winnipeg Wesmen men’s team to back-to-back Canada West Championship final appearances in 2023 and 2024. This past season, he led the Wesmen to a program-best 16-4 regular season record.
Raimbault’s roots in Manitoba run deep. He grew up and played college basketball in Brandon, later joining the Brandon University coaching staff and helping the team capture a U SPORTS (then CIS) silver medal in 2007. He went on to win a CCAA national championship as head coach of the UNBC Timberwolves before taking the helm at the University of Winnipeg, where he continues to serve as head coach of the Wesmen men’s program. Raimbault has also been part of the Sea Bears’ coaching staff since their inaugural season, serving as an assistant coach.
“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. “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.”
Now stepping into the head coach and front-office role, Raimbault brings a hometown perspective and a full-time presence in Winnipeg, which the organization says will be vital in growing the game and deepening connections with fans and local basketball programs.
“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. “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.”
The Sea Bears extended their gratitude to Mike Taylor for his dedication and leadership throughout the team’s first three seasons. Taylor guided Winnipeg to its inaugural playoff appearance in 2023 and played a pivotal role in helping establish professional basketball in Manitoba. 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.
Source: https://www.seabears.ca/sea-bears-name-mike-raimbault-general-manager-and-head-coach
Sea Bears appoint Wesmen's Raimbault as new head coach, GM
Longtime leader will stay on as UWinnipeg coach
Raimbault will continue as head coach of the Wesmen men's basketball program while taking on his new roles with the Canadian Elite Basketball League franchise.
This will be the first professional head coaching job for Raimbault, who will begin his 16th season at the helm of the Wesmen when Canada West conference action kicks off Oct. 26 at the Duckworth Centre.
Raimbault served as an assistant on Mike Taylor's staff for the Sea Bears' first three seasons.
"I'm honoured and excited to take on this new opportunity with the Winnipeg Sea Bears as the next step in my coaching career," Raimbault said. "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."
Raimbault is the winningest coach in Wesmen men's basketball history having compiled a 252-203 overall record since taking the reins in 2010. Including one year as interim head coach of the Brandon Bobcats, Raimbault has had only two losing seasons — and none since 2012 — in 17 years as a U Sports head coach.
He led the Wesmen to national championship tournament appearances in back-to-back seasons in 2022-23 and 2023-24 and has guided the program to the Canada West playoffs in each of the past 12 seasons.
"I am where I am today because of the support of my family as well as many mentors and influences in the basketball community," he said. "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."
Joining the Sea Bears adds to Raimbault's extensive resume of coaching success.
"Wesmen Athletics is immensely proud of Mike and his accomplishments as a head coach, and we can't wait to see where he takes the Sea Bears in this exciting new role," Wesmen Athletic Director Cara Isaak said. "Mike has been a tremendous ambassador of our program and has established himself as one of the most respected university coaches in Canada. He is well-deserving of this opportunity, and he has the full support of the Winnipeg Wesmen."