Top Candidates to Replace Sandy Brondello as New York Liberty Coach
The New York Liberty, one of the WNBA’s premier franchises, just announced they won’t renew head coach Sandy Brondello’s contract. This move follows a disappointing first-round exit from the WNBA playoffs, despite the huge expectations at the start of the season.
Brondello led the Liberty to their first championship in 2024 and their first WNBA Finals appearance in 21 years in 2023. Injuries and other challenges exposed some issues that ultimately led to her dismissal.
The Liberty have already started looking for a new head coach. Several intriguing candidates are on the horizon.
Why Sandy Brondello’s Contract Wasn’t Renewed
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Sandy Brondello’s time with the Liberty brought some big achievements. She set win records and took the team to the WNBA Finals in 2023, then won it all in 2024.
Even after the championship, Brondello and the Liberty only agreed to an extension that guaranteed one more season, with a team option for 2026. That kind of deal hints the organization had doubts about her long-term fit.
Rumors about Brondello’s job security floated around even before the championship. This season’s injuries exposed more issues—defensive lapses and trouble with offensive flow.
Challenges Faced by the Liberty
The Liberty’s 2025 season was rough, with injuries really hurting their chances to repeat as champions. They finished 27-17 and got knocked out by the Phoenix Mercury in a three-game series.
Sure, you can’t blame injuries on Brondello, but they did make other problems stand out, like:
- Lapses in defensive effort
- Lack of offensive flow and 3-point output
- Struggles to help star center Jonquel Jones be more consistent
Brondello herself admitted the team’s inconsistent lineups led to players not always competing hard enough. That lack of effort and consistency definitely played a part in her departure.
The Trend of Swift Coaching Changes
Swapping coaches right after a championship is rare in the WNBA, but it’s starting to happen more in pro basketball. Teams seem quicker to make big changes even after success. For example:
- The Los Angeles Lakers fired Frank Vogel two seasons after their 2020 NBA championship
- The Milwaukee Bucks parted ways with Mike Budenholzer two years after their 2021 title
- The Denver Nuggets let go of Mike Malone not even two full years after their 2023 win
The Liberty, led by general manager Jonathan Kolb, aren’t shy about bold moves. Brondello’s exit is just the latest in a string of big changes to keep the team at the top.
Brondello’s Future Prospects
Even after this, Brondello remains a respected coach around the league. She left the Phoenix Mercury after leading them to the 2021 WNBA Finals, so leaving after success isn’t exactly new for her.
If she wants to coach next season, sources expect she’ll be in the mix for jobs in Seattle, Toronto, and Portland.
Potential Candidates for the Liberty’s Head Coach Position
The Liberty have already kicked off their search for a new head coach. They’re expected to aim high, maybe even looking at NBA coaches or top women’s college basketball coaches.
Here are some of the names popping up:
James Weaver
James Weaver, 41, currently works as a coaching advisor with the Charlotte Hornets. He’s got over a decade of experience as an assistant and head coach.
He previously worked with the Brooklyn Nets, the Liberty’s brother team, and has a solid reputation within Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. Weaver’s tactical style and flexibility make him a real contender for the job.
Jenny Boucek
Jenny Boucek brings both WNBA playing and coaching experience. She led the Sacramento Monarchs and Seattle Storm, and now runs the Pacers’ aggressive defense.
Boucek stands out for her player development and creativity in late-game situations. Despite being close with Brondello, she’s still a strong candidate for the Liberty’s head coach spot.
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Kristi Toliver
Kristi Toliver is one of the WNBA’s most respected assistants and has four years on NBA staffs. She spent the last two years in Phoenix under Nate Tibbetts and has interviewed for WNBA head coach jobs before.
Toliver’s basketball IQ and respect from players give her a real shot at the Liberty job.
Niele Ivey
Niele Ivey, head coach at Notre Dame, used to play in the WNBA and has NBA coaching experience. She hasn’t made a Final Four at Notre Dame yet, but her steady success and ability to connect with players make her an interesting option.
It’d probably take a strong contract to get her to leave her alma mater, though.
Lindsey Harding
Lindsey Harding is currently with the Lakers under J.J. Redick. She played in the WNBA and has NBA assistant experience.
She found success as head coach with the Stockton Kings and is seen as a future WNBA head coach. Harding knows the league and has proven herself as a coach, so she’s definitely in the running for the Liberty job.
Vickie Johnson
Vickie Johnson, an assistant coach with the Liberty, stands out as a potential candidate. She brings a ton of coaching experience and really knows the team’s core players.
Johnson understands the organization inside and out. Her coaching skills make her a strong internal pick for the head coach spot.
For more details on the Liberty’s coaching search, check out the original article on The New York Times.