Sandy Brondello served as head coach after leading Liberty to a breakthrough WNBA championship just one year ago.
Free Fire Protection in Brondello,,,,, The most winning coach in franchise history made the experienced coach a scapegoat title defense Tuesday, with no expectations for this title.
New York decided not to renew Brondlow's contract, which expires after the season, the team said.
“We want to thank Sandy Brondello for his eternal impact on New York's freedom,” General Manager Jonathan Kolb said in a statement. “Sandy's tenure as the most winning coach in franchise history in New York, she brought us to a high ground she's never seen before, the first head coach to lead the Freedom Championship. We hope Sandy will perform at her best in the next chapter.”
Free won the best start of the franchise, winning nine games in a row, but stumbled on fifth place over the next three months. New York accepted the loser but was eventually bounced in the first round of the playoffs on September 19.
Sandy Brondello reacted on the sideline during a free season finale playoff defeat on September 19, 2025. Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Brondello said moments after a painful third game in Phoenix that the group was “very disappointed” in the season’s results, but that she “can’t be proud” of her players.
“We're facing a lot of adversity this year, which is happening in professional sports, but we've left it all there,” Brondlow said. “This is the team you can ask for.”
Even though the beginning of freedom was New York, it has never been a super character like a series of finals.
Brondello had to bring long-term injury absences to key players Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, and Stewart also suffered a knee injury from a playoff after winning the first game freely.
In Game 2, freedom was absolutely smeared in front of Brooklyn’s home fans, which only exacerbated the heat under Brooklow’s seat.
Ultimately, the free decision was to move in a new direction after the team's premature birth playoff exit.
While it is possible to separate the coach’s rotation decisions and strategies – and in these things, Brondlow is not immune to some criticism, work is more important than what happens on the hardwood, especially on teams stacked up like freedom.
Brondello is an expert people’s manager, which is part of why she is so respected in the league.
Head coach Sandy Brondello celebrates after the Liberals won the 2024 WNBA final at the Barclays Center. Michelle Farsi in New York
But as freedom continues to drop in the standings, Brondlow's seat begins to warm up.
Brondello told Post in early September that she did not ignore the pressure.
“In the end, I got it,” she said. “It's a professional organization and coach, and I know I'm probably the first one to blame, it's OK. It's OK. Very good. My shoulders are wide enough here. … I haven't read anything like that. All I can do is focus on preparing this team and doing what I can, and leading them to do what I can.”
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After the free season, the players expressed support for Brondello, with several saying they were back.
“I don't know the incredible way she continues to handle the cards she's going through,” Stewart said of Brondlow. “It's not easy for anyone. But she comes to our best position and best footsteps with a positive attitude and mindset every day… She has our support, we have her support.”
Natasha Cloud added: “Sandy was injured for us this year and did a great job of keeping the optimistic and positive attitude. Sandy is one of the most winning coaches in this F-Enge League. … Every player loves her. Pointing to this dressing room.
Sandy Brondello High Fives Sabrina Ionescu in the free match on August 5, 2025. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
But that's not enough to save Brondlow's work.
The search for alternatives will be fierce considering that Seattle Storm and Expansion Portland Fire and Toronto Rhythm are also looking for coaches.
Some immediately thought of candidates include freelance assistant Sonia Raman, fever assistant Brian and Baylor coach Nikki Collen.
Brondello exited 107-53 in four seasons of free play and achieved indelible results on the team.
In her first year of work in 2022, she brought the team to 16-20 points and playoff spots. The No. 7 seed took the defending champion Chicago Sky in the first round and was eliminated.
Her tenure was modified in 2023 and joined Stewart and Jones in the heart of Sabrina Ionescu and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton.
The Liberty team won the championship 32-8 and occupied the Season Commissioner Cup. They advanced to the WNBA finals, where they lost to the Las Vegas Ace.
In 2024, she led the franchise to win the first WNBA championship. After another top seed in the regular season 32-8 and revenge the ace in the semi-finals, free to play Minnesota Lynx in five dramatic finals to reach Hero Canyon.
Brondello, 57, is an early former WNBA player, who had previously led the Phoenix Mercury for eight seasons and won the championship in 2014.
Her husband, Olaf Lange, is one of the freelance assistant coaches and he is likely to quit as well.
If Brondlow wants to continue coaching, she may not quit work for a long time.