Image Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

New York Liberty Part Ways Championship Winning Head Coach Sandy Brondello; Three Possible Replacements who Could Take Over

Brondello led the Liberty to their first championship in 2024.

Image Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The New York Liberty made a shocking announcement on Tuesday, September 23, revealing that they parted ways with head coach Sandy Brondello. The franchise announced that it won’t renew Brondello’s contract in the upcoming season. Brondello led the Liberty to two consecutive finals appearances and their first WNBA championship in 2024. In 2025, they they hoped to repeat their heroics this season, things didn’t really go their way.

Despite starting the 2025 season on a positive note and maintaining a lead with nine victories, the Liberty stumbled over the next few months. They struggled with injuries to key players including Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu. After finishing the season in fifth position, the Liberty lost their first-round battle to the Phoenix Mercury and ended their campaign on a disappointing note.

The Australian head coach joined the Liberty in 2021 after spending almost four years with the Phoenix Mercury. In her four seasons with the Liberty, she went 107-53, and maintained a playoff record of 16-11, the third highest in the WNBA since 2022.

Thank you Coach Sandy, for bringing the Liberty its first championship and leaving an everlasting impact on the franchise.🏆 pic.twitter.com/cpf0pUGuuo
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 23, 2025

Liberty’s General Manager Jonathan Kolb made an official announcement saying, “We would like to thank Sandy Brondello for her everlasting impact on the New York Liberty. Sandy finishes her tenure in New York as the winningest coach in franchise history, and she took us to never-before-seen heights as the first head coach to lead the Liberty to a championship. We wish Sandy the very best in her next chapter.”

In her official statement Brondello looked back to her four years she spent at the helm of Liberty’s coaching. “It has been a privilege to have coached the NY Liberty these last four years. Bringing the first ever championship to New York will always be the most amazing feeling. I wish the team and organization more success moving forward,” Brondello told The Associated Press via a text message.

The Liberty will begin their hunt for the next head coach immediately. Here are the three possible replacements for Brondello.

Three Possible Replacements for Sandy Brondello as New York Liberty’s Head Coach

Sonia Raman

The New York Liberty could promote their assistant coach Sonia Raman as the new head coach of the team. Raman has an experience of over seventeen years, and she has spent considerable time on teams such as the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA as an assistant coach. She joined the Liberty in 2025, and after almost an entire season, she is a perfect fit to take over.

Rebekkah Brunson

Another possible replacement for Sandy Brondello in the Liberty could be Minnesota Lynx assistant coach Rebekkah Brunson. After spending eight seasons with the Lynx as a player, Brunson joined the franchise as an assistant coach in 2020. She is the only player to have won five WNBA titles. Her own experience could help the Liberty to make a sound comeback in the upcoming season.

Jenny Boucek

Indiana Pacers assistant coach Jenny Boucek could be another name who can be a suitable replacement for Brondello. Boucek is a highly-experienced coach who began her coaching career in 1999 with the Washington Mystics. Over the years, she went on to be a part of multiple teams including the Seattle Storm, Sacramento Kings in the NBA, and Dallas Mavericks. Currently, she is associated with the Indiana Pacers, where she scripted history by becoming the first female coach to make it to the NBA Finals. Her vast knowledge and experience would help the Liberty fare well in the upcoming season.

New York Liberty

Sandy Brondello

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.