WNBA Fans Couldn't Believe Liberty's Shock Firing of Head Coach Sandy Brondello

The Liberty announced Tuesday that they would not be renewing Brondello's contract for the 2026 season.

Brondello boasts a 107-53 record in her four years at the helm. / Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

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.

Genuinely not sure what more she could've feasibly done in her tenure https://t.co/fe128veAM2

— Jack Borman (@jrborman13) September 23, 2025

pic.twitter.com/qPnM1ilz7h

— 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

??? https://t.co/llFiXLwRRz

— 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.

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

— Kelsey Trainor (@ktrain_11) September 23, 2025

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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