The New York Liberty fired Sandy Brondello as head coach. Only a year after winning the league title, the board of directors decided on Tuesday not to renew her contract.
Brondello achieved recognition as the winningest coach in WNBA history. She led the team to a strong winning streak at the start of the regular season, but after several setbacks, Liberty dropped to fifth place. They also fell in the first round of the playoffs, and the organization saw that as enough reason to part ways with her.
She leaves a lasting mark on Liberty
According to the New York Post, after a loss against Phoenix, the former coach admitted her disappointment with the outcome. However, she praised her players, saying, “I couldn’t be prouder.” “We faced a lot of adversity this year, which happens in professional sports, but we gave it everything we had… And that’s all you can ask from a team,” she added.
At the end of the season and playoffs, general manager Jonathan Kolb issued a statement: “We thank Sandy Brondello for her everlasting impact on the New York Liberty… Sandy ends her tenure in New York as the winningest coach in franchise history and the first head coach to lead Liberty to a championship. We wish Sandy the best in her next chapter.”
Breaking: New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello’s contract will not be renewed for the 2026 season, the team announced.
The organization will begin the search for its next head coach immediately. pic.twitter.com/F1cae7lHYv— ESPN (@espn) September 23, 2025
This move did not surprise anyone. Earlier in September, she told The Post: “In the end, I get it… This is a professional organization and coaches, I know, will probably be the first ones blamed, and that’s fine. I can handle that. I’ve got broad enough shoulders. … I don’t read into any of that. All I can do is focus on preparing this team, leaning on them as much as possible, and guiding them the best I can.”
Brondello leaves Liberty with a 107-53 record over four seasons. The franchise has already begun searching for her replacement, though the task won’t be easy since Seattle Storm, Portland Fire, and Toronto Tempo are also looking for head coaches.
Liberty may consider Sonia Raman (Liberty assistant), Brian January (Fever assistant), and Nikki Collen (Baylor head coach) as potential candidates.
