After a surprising playoff exit, the New York Liberty should be entering its golden era. With Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu leading the way, the team has never looked closer to a title. Yet uncertainty looms after parting ways with coach Sandy Brondello, who guided them to a 107–53 record and consecutive playoff runs. Now, the real challenge isn’t just finding a new leader—but doing so without looking in the wrong deck of cards.

And no, we’re not saying this; it’s a concern that Ros Gold-Onwude, host of the podcast Good Follow, highlighted during a recent episode. She said on the podcast, “We’ve been hearing names like Lindsey Harding, Kristi Toliver, or coaches with NBA or G League experience like Will Weaver, Joseph Blair. These are names we’re hearing… I’m a little concerned with some of these names who have never been head coaches.”

And she’s right. With JJ, Saby, and Stewie leading the charge, the Liberty are built to win. That’s why hiring a first-time head coach feels risky—yet the franchise is still exploring options from both WNBA and NBA circles.

First, there’s Lindsey Harding, who brings experience as the head coach of the Stockton Kings and earned G League Coach of the Year honors. Her blend of player empathy and NBA-style systems could inject fresh energy into New York’s offense. Then there’s Kristi Toliver, a two-time WNBA champion and current Phoenix Mercury associate head coach. Ironically, she’s been part of the Mercury roster that eliminated the Liberty in the 2025 semifinals.

She’s got both the familiarity with the league and the mindset of a superstar. Her years serving as an NBA assistant with the Mavs only add to her credentials. However, neither coach has yet to carry the full weight of a franchise. But the candidate pool also extends to NBA-linked names like Will Weaver and Joseph Blair. And while these coaches are respected for their analytics-driven systems, they’ve got little experience navigating the culture and cadence of the W.

Ros Gold-Onwude’s point reflects the high stakes in New York. With Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu leading a championship-caliber roster, the Liberty aren’t rebuilding—they’re chasing a title. Their next coach must have the experience, confidence, and composure to handle that pressure from day one.

“But before we even talk about potential hires, what kind of coach does this New York Liberty team really need? It’s tough with New York because they’ve already reached the mountaintop. And when you get there, the pressure is immense—especially for a new coach stepping in.

This has to be someone who’s confident, knows exactly what they’re doing, and can handle the weight that comes with leading the Liberty,” she further stated.  

 That’s why the decision becomes all the more concerning. Still…we might see a decision soon! 

But who’s the closest pick? 

It’s been five weeks since Sandy Brondello parted ways with the New York Liberty after a bumpy 2025 campaign. Since then, the franchise has been on the hunt for a new head coach – and now, it’s the only team left without one. But that might change soon, with Kristi Toliver emerging as the frontrunner.

According to Madeline Kenney of the New York Post, Toliver recently interviewed for the role. And her résumé speaks for itself. She played at W from 2009 to 2023, winning championships with the Los Angeles Sparks (2016) and the Washington Mystics (2019). So, a few candidates understand the WNBA grind better than she does.

And, yes, coaching isn’t new to her either. She began her journey while still playing, by joining the Mystics’ staff before moving to the NBA in 2021 as an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks. Then, she became Nate Tibbetts’ top assistant in Phoenix at W. So, while she hasn’t been a head coach yet, Tibbetts has said more than once- she’s ready to run her own team.

So far, Toliver checks every box for what the Liberty need: experience, leadership, and credibility with players. And if New York decides to make it official, she’d continue the growing trend of teams – like the Wings, Storm, Fire, and Tempo – hiring coaches with NBA or head coaching experience. But until it’s done, Liberty fans are left waiting to see if Toliver will finally be the one to take the reins in Brooklyn!