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New York Liberty expected to hire Sandy Brondello as head coach

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Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The New York Liberty are expected to hire Sandy Brondello as their next head coach, according to ESPN.

Brondello parted ways with the Phoenix Mercury in December after coaching the team since 2014. She currently serves as the head coach of the Australian women’s national team.

In her eight-year tenure with the Mercury, Brondello led the team to a 150-108 record and made the playoffs every season. In 2021, Phoenix fell to the Chicago Sky 3-1 in the WNBA Finals after going 19-13 during the regular season.

The Liberty’s coaching position has been vacant since Walt Hopkins and the team parted ways in early December. Finishing 12-20 during the regular season, New York squeaked into the playoffs before losing to Phoenix in a first-round single-elimination game.

In New York, Brondello would work with one of the most exciting, young rosters in the WNBA, with 2020 No. 1 draft pick Sabrina Ionescu, 2021 WNBA Rookie of the Year Michaela Onyenwere and 2021 All-Star Betnijah Laney all returning next season.