The timing definitely raised eyebrows. There were reports by Annie Costabile of FOS, saying the Wings weren’t planning any staff changes. And then, suddenly, the HC Chris Koclanes was out. What changed in the meantime? Well, the move can be attributed to the New York Liberty letting go of two-time champion coach Sandy Brondello. According to Senior NBS journalist, Jake Fischer, of Yahoo Sports, that is the type of direction Paige Bueckers and Co. want to go in: bringing in someone with real experience and a track record of winning.

As Jake Fischer reported,

“And that [the want for a coach with experience] has led various league sources to point to (Sandy) Brondello as a contender to be the next head coach for Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers.” So yes, a firing could soon translate into a hiring.

Bueckers honestly needs a championship-winning coach. After all, her 2024-25 season at UConn was basically the team showing everyone how it’s done. They lost just three games. The year before, only six slipped through. A big reason? Coach Geno Auriemma, the mastermind who’s basically built a “championship magnet” at UConn. With 12 NCAA titles under his belt, he’s the kind of coach who could probably win with a team of freshmen and mascots, and still make it look easy.

So, imagine Bueckers stepping off that well-oiled, glory-filled machine and landing with the Dallas Wings—a team that barely scraped together 10 wins under rookie coach Chris Koclanes. Talk about a culture shock.

And, well, Brondello is Brondello. She was bound to spark interest, even from a team that hadn’t been planning a coaching shake-up. For the Dallas Wings, things are about desperation now. After all, since moving from Tulsa in 2016, they’ve managed just a single playoff series win. So, it makes sense that general manager Curt Miller might pick up the phone to see if Brondello is open to coming to Texas.

Her résumé speaks for itself. Over four seasons with the Liberty, she went 107-53, and her 271 career victories rank sixth all-time in the league. Among coaches active in 2025, only Minnesota’s Cheryl Reeve boasts more wins. And when it comes to Finals games, Brondello has gone 8-8, translating into two championship rings.

Sure, some critics shrug at her two titles, calling them lucky, but winning championships a decade apart isn’t a mere coincidence. Not to forget that in her 13 seasons as a head coach, she’s had as many Finals appearances as losing seasons—a record that speaks volumes about her consistency. For a Wings squad still finding its footing, someone like Brondello could be exactly what they need to turn potential into performance.

The Wings’ struggles are well-documented. In the last decade, they’ve had just one season over .500. Even drafting Paige Bueckers first overall in 2025, who went on to set rookie records and earn Rookie of the Year, wasn’t enough to secure a postseason spot. They finished the season with a league-worst 10-34 record.

Enter Brondello. With a young core anchored by Bueckers, she brings the experience and stability Dallas has long lacked. Coaching turnover has been a persistent problem for the franchise, and Brondello could finally give them a steady hand. Her track record shows she knows how to define roles, maximize talent, and earn player trust—whether it’s seasoned veterans or rising stars. Since taking over the Mercury in 2014, she’s only finished under .500 three times, and her teams have never missed the playoffs.

That said, rebuilding a team like the Wings will be a new challenge for her. Brondello hasn’t often been the coach tasked with a ground-up rebuild. But if anyone can balance development, strategy, and team chemistry, it’s her. And for Dallas, that might just be the game-changer they’ve been waiting for.

But will Brondello consider Wings?

Sandy Brondello’s got many more options to choose from!

The Dallas Wings likely won’t be the only team looking for a coach with a championship pedigree. As the Seattle Storm parted ways with their head coach, Noelle Quinn, they, too, are in the market for a new leader. And if you look closely, landing the Storm job feels more promising.

Not only did the team make the playoffs, but they also boast rookie sensation Dominique Malonga and several All-Star veterans. Though that’s not the only option available. With the WNBA set to welcome the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire this upcoming season, Brondello could have opportunities there as well.

And, of course, every franchise would consider her—across 13 WNBA seasons, she’s never missed the playoffs, a feat unmatched by any other coach. As even Cheryl Reeve shared, “I think Sandy is a heck of a coach and I think Sandy will land on her feet like she always does. I am absolutely thrilled if I am Seattle, Toronto, and Portland that I was just gifted a championship-level coach.”

She added, “Though we’re competitors, I think a lot of Sandy, personally and professionally,” during the September 24 pregame press conference. So yes, the former Liberty head coach has plenty of options to choose from. But the question now is—which franchise will she choose: a struggling one, a new one, or a strong contender? Stay tuned to find out!