Liberty Part Ways With Coach Sandy Brondello

The New York Liberty parted ways with head coach Sandy Brondello days after a first‑round playoff loss to the Phoenix Mercury, a move that reportedly surprised players who publicly backed her. General manager Jonathan Kolb said the decision was “neither punitive nor reactive,” calling it a proactive choice that followed a thorough review and was ultimately his. Brondello, 57, exits as the winningest coach in franchise history with a 107–53 record after four seasons that included back‑to‑back Finals appearances and the Liberty’s first WNBA championship in 2024. Kolb cited the team’s drop from 32–8 in 2024 to 27–17 in 2025 and significant injuries to the team’s “Big Three” — Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu — as context for seeking change. Assistant coach and Brondello’s husband, Olaf Lange, will not return to the staff, while the futures of other assistants are undecided. The Liberty have begun a search for a new head coach but have set no firm timeline.