The WNBA got a big shake-up on Tuesday morning when it was announced that the Liberty would be parting ways with head coach Sandy Brondello just days after New York's early exit from the 2025 playoffs.
Although a first-round loss never feels or looks good, the team is just one year removed from a title in 2024, and two years removed from another finals appearance in 2023. Brondello is also the winningest coach in franchise history, with a 107-53 record in her four years at the helm. Team star Breanna Stewart even defended Brondello from criticism regarding the elimination in a passionate moment on Friday, when she made clear, "We're not going to be a team that points fingers."
So it's safe to say the decision came as a shock to many in the WNBA world, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their surprise.
Take a look at that reaction below:
Pretty giant risk by Jonathan Kolb letting Sandy Brondello walk less than 72 hours removed from the two franchise cornerstones looking/sounded legitimately offended at the idea Brondello may be out as HC.
— Jack Borman (@jrborman13) September 23, 2025
Genuinely not sure what more she could've feasibly done in her tenure https://t.co/fe128veAM2
— JuJu Gotti (@JuJuGotti) September 23, 2025
GM’s in this league seem to think great head coaches grow on trees https://t.co/NcHopeHFw1
— Jordan Patu (@Jordan_Patu) September 23, 2025
I’ve always said that coaching is a thankless job. You get none of the credit when things go right and all of the blame when things go wrong. I hope both Noelle Quinn and Sandy Brondello land on their feet with another team.
— David Mendez-Yapkowitz (@Dave_Yapkowitz) September 23, 2025
Wow. The shoe drops. https://t.co/ZuNruPF6hW
— Chrystal Stone (@chrystalstone_) September 23, 2025
Come on now way to many injuries to judge that season 😒
— Cujo Chris (@retrochrizz) September 23, 2025
— Drew Sanders (@ItsDrewSanders) September 23, 2025
This feels insane https://t.co/dqaOVbndKG
— window seat on the spaceship (@Carey1313) September 23, 2025
She just won a championship. That’s wild
— Garrison Ford (@garrisonford01) September 23, 2025
Wow.
— Kelsey Trainor (@ktrain_11) September 23, 2025
Won a ship. Get let go the next year?
The all time great coaches would never make it today because leadership doesn't understand loyalty and community building.
Unreal! https://t.co/Kor966jwQS
https://t.co/58lWduESez pic.twitter.com/bpkWm3ukwx
— Whitney Oliver (@WhitneyEOliver) September 23, 2025
Wow, honestly shocking https://t.co/aNUsHntB3b
— Katie Moseley (@matiekoseley) September 23, 2025
Brought you your first ring and gets fired the next season? What???????
— Jordan 👑✭ (@916kappa_p) September 23, 2025
This is insane https://t.co/bIMzdLk8Kv
— jayoncé 🐝 (@ChaniseyHussle) September 23, 2025
She is NOT the W coach that needed to be fired https://t.co/1yXAAdRC6D
— #K9 & #21🐺 (@mih4588) September 23, 2025
With the move, there are now four total coaching vacancies in the W: the Liberty; the Storm, after their decision to part ways with head coach Noelle Quinn on Sunday; and the expansion teams in Toronto and Portland.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as WNBA Fans Couldn't Believe Liberty's Shock Firing of Head Coach Sandy Brondello.