New York Liberty sack Opals coach Sandy Brondello after early WNBA playoff exit

Opals coach Sandy Brondello has been let go by the New York Liberty after a disappointing first-round exit from the WNBA playoffs.

The Liberty opted against renewing Brondello’s contract, less than a year after the Australian guided the team to their first league championship.

Brondello, also coach of the Australian women’s national team, boasts a 107-53 record in her four seasons with the Liberty, giving her the most wins in franchise history.

But the Liberty struggled with injuries to stars Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu in this year’s title defence, placing Brondello’s job in jeopardy.

New York made the call to part ways with the 57-year-old following the Game 3 loss to Phoenix Mercury last week, having earned the No.5 seed in the playoffs.

Brondello, who will coach the Opals at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, had guided the Liberty to a franchise-best start of nine consecutive victories before injuries took their toll.

“It has been a privilege to have coached the NY Liberty these last four years,” Brondello said to The Associated Press in a text message.

“Bringing the first ever championship to New York will always be the most amazing feeling.

“I wish the team and organization (sic) more success moving forward.”

Brondello had her players’ support after the team lost in the playoffs last week.

“To anybody that kind of questions Sandy being here, this is a resilient group,” Stewart said after the loss to Phoenix.

“And she has our back and we have hers.

“The way that she continued to kind of deal with the cards she was dealt was incredible.”

Brondello becomes a top target for other head coaching vacancies throughout the league.

Seattle have parted ways with Noelle Quinn, while Portland and Toronto haven’t yet named a coach.

Before coming to New York, Brondello led the Phoenix Mercury to a championship in her eight seasons with that team.

She was hired before the 2022 season by the Liberty after she helped the Mercury reach the WNBA Finals in 2021.

New York lost in the finals to Las Vegas in 2023, before winning the championship last year in a decisive Game 5 overtime victory over Minnesota.

On the international stage, Brondello - who has been Opals coach since 2017 - steered Australia to bronze at the 2024 Paris Games.

It was the first time the Opals had returned to the Olympic podium in 12 years.

The Los Angeles Games will represent a remarkable seventh Olympics for Brondello, who played in four (1988, 1996, 2000, 2004) and will be coach at three campaigns (2020, 2024, 2028).

- with The Associated Press