WNBA Offseason Coaching Changes
This offseason has seen significant coaching changes in the WNBA. The Seattle Storm parted ways with Noel Quinn, the New York Liberty opted not to renew Sandy Brondello’s contract, and the Dallas Wings dismissed Chris Cocranes after just one season.
Additionally, both expansion teams in the league, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, have started and wrapped up their searches for head coaches.
As of now, only one coaching position remains unfilled—the Liberty’s.
The Storm made a move by hiring Sonia Laman, who previously served as an assistant coach for the Liberty. Meanwhile, the Wings brought in long-time South Florida coach Jose Fernandez, and the Fire chose Alex Salama, an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Interestingly, the Tempo went ahead and hired Brondello, officially welcoming her on Tuesday morning.
New York is still on the hunt for someone to step into Brondello’s role.
They’ve interviewed several candidates including Will Weaver, a former assistant with the Nets, Christy Toliver from the Mercury, and Joseph Blair, who coaches in the G League. It’s worth mentioning that Raman had also vied for the position but accepted the Storm job last month.
Lakers assistant Lindsey Harding is reportedly in the mix as well, with a few other unnamed coaches having been interviewed too.
Potential Candidates for Liberty’s Coaching Position
If we’re looking at the leading candidates—Weaver, Toliver, and Blair—it’s intriguing to consider what each could contribute to a Liberty team that’s eager to compete for a championship.
Weaver, presently a coaching advisor with the Charlotte Hornets, has a solid background as an NBA assistant with teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, and Houston Rockets. He even snagged the G League Coach of the Year title in 2019 and has prior experience as an assistant for the Australian National Basketball Team. He’s been in the conversation for head coaching roles before, finishing as a runner-up for the Oklahoma City job in 2020.
On the other hand, Toliver is a former WNBA point guard who enjoyed most of her playing career overseas after being the third overall pick in 2009. Her coaching experience includes stints as an NBA assistant—first with the Washington Wizards and then the Dallas Mavericks. For the last two seasons, she’s been the associate head coach for the Phoenix Mercury and is widely recognized as a strong contender for head coaching roles.
Blair, who has been coaching since 2013 after a playing career, is currently the head coach of the G League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers. His previous roles include assistant coaching with the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Washington Wizards. He’s currently affiliated with the Houston Rockets.
The Liberty’s coaching search is anticipated to wrap up in the coming days, and while the final choice remains uncertain, the expectations surrounding the new hire will undoubtedly be sky-high right from the start.
