Sandi Brondello Out as Liberty Head Coach After Championship Win

Just a year after guiding the New York Liberty to their first WNBA Championship, Sandi Brondello is no longer the head coach.

Brondello, who holds the record for most wins in the franchise’s history, has become a target for criticism following a disappointing title defense. The Liberty has opted not to renew her contract.

General manager Jonathan Kolb expressed gratitude, saying, “I would like to thank Sandi Brondello for her lasting impact on New York’s Liberty. She has finished her tenure here as the winningest coach in our history and has taken us to heights we never imagined, being the first to lead the team to a championship.”

The season began brightly for the Liberty, with a nine-game winning streak, but they faltered throughout the next few months, ultimately finishing in fifth place. Although New York started strong, their performance during the rest of the season left much to be desired. They made it to the playoffs but faced elimination in the first round on September 19.

Following a painful Game 3 loss against Phoenix, Brondello expressed disappointment in the season’s outcome. However, she praised her players, stating, “We’ve faced a lot of adversity this year, and we’ve left it all on the court. That’s all you can ask.” Despite the strong start, the team didn’t live up to expectations like the previous super teams that had reached consecutive finals.

Brondello had to cope with injuries to key players, including Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. Stewart struggled with a knee issue during the playoffs, compounding the team’s challenges.

The Liberty faced a dismal loss in Game 2 at home, which intensified scrutiny on Brondello and her decision-making as the team struggled.

Ultimately, the organization decided to pursue a new direction following their early playoff exit. Brondello received some criticism regarding her rotation strategies and decisions, especially with a team loaded with talent. Still, she is highly regarded in the league as a seasoned manager.

Throughout the season, as the Liberty’s performance dipped, speculation about Brondello’s job security grew. She commented earlier this September, “In the end, I understand that this is a professional organization. I know I will take responsibility first, and that’s fine.” She emphasized her focus on preparing the team without getting bogged down by external pressures.

After the season, players showed their support for Brondello. Stewart noted, “The way she handled everything was incredible. It wasn’t easy, but she maintained a positive attitude that helped us put our best foot forward.” Natasha Cloud echoed these sentiments, describing Brondello’s resilience and optimism as crucial to keeping the team together.

However, such support wasn’t enough to secure Brondello’s position. With other teams like the Seattle Storm and Portland Fire also looking for new head coaches, the competition is on for potential candidates. Some names being considered include Liberty assistant Sonia Raman, Fever assistant Brian January, and Baylor’s Nicky Kallen.

Brondello leaves the Liberty with a notable record of 107-53 over four seasons, leaving a significant impact on the franchise.

In her first year, Brondello led the team to a playoff berth at a 16-20 record, where they secured a victory over the Chicago Sky before being eliminated. The following season saw the addition of Stewart and Jones to an already talented roster, leading to a 32-8 record and a trip to the WNBA Finals, where they faced a tough defeat against the Las Vegas Aces.

In 2024, she achieved the pinnacle of success with the team’s first championship win, where they avenged previous losses to the Aces and triumphed over the Minnesota Lynx in a dramatic five-game finals.

At 57, Brondello has previously led the Phoenix Mercury to a championship in 2014 and ranks sixth in the all-time WNBA coaching wins. Her husband, Olaf Lange, serves as one of the assistants, and he may also be part of the coaching shake-up.

If Brondello decides to continue coaching, she likely won’t be away from the game for long.