Opals coach Sandy Brondello has been fired by the New York Liberty after a disappointing first-round exit in the WNBA play-offs.
The Liberty have opted not to renew Brondello’s contract, less than a year after the Australian guided the team to their first league championship.
Brondello, also the coach of the Australian women’s national team, is 107-53 in his four seasons with the Liberty, giving him the most wins in franchise history.
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But the Liberty suffered injuries to stars Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu during this year’s title defense, putting Brondello’s job in jeopardy.
New York decided to part ways with the 57-year-old after last week’s Game 3 loss to the Phoenix Mercury, having claimed fifth place in the play-offs.
Brondello, who will coach the Opals at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, had guided the Liberty to a franchise-best start with nine straight wins before injuries took their toll.
“It has been a privilege to have coached the New York Liberty for the past four years,” Brondello told The Associated Press in a text message.
“Bringing the first ever championship to New York will always be the most incredible feeling.
“I wish the team and the organization (sic) more success for the future.”
Brondello benefited from the support of his players following the team’s play-off defeat last week.
“For anyone who questions Sandy being here, this is a resilient group,” Stewart said after the loss to Phoenix.
“And she has our backs, and we have hers.
“The way she continued to deal with the cards she was dealt was incredible.”
Brondello becomes a prime target for other head coaching vacancies across the league.
Seattle has parted ways with Noelle Quinn, while Portland and Toronto have yet to name a coach.
Before coming to New York, Brondello led the Phoenix Mercury to a championship during his eight seasons with that team.
She was hired before the 2022 season by the Liberty after helping 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 against Minnesota.
On the international stage, Brondello – who has been coach of the Opals since 2017 – helped Australia win bronze at the Paris 2024 Games.
It was the first time that the Opales returned to the Olympic podium in 12 years.
The Los Angeles Games will represent a remarkable seventh edition of the Olympic Games for Brondello, who has participated in four (1988, 1996, 2000, 2004) and will coach in Tokyo and Paris.
PAA/PA
