ROY Paige Bueckers to be coached by Brondello?

• Dallas Wings target two-time WNBA champion coach Sandy Brondello for 2026.
• Brondello parted ways with New York Liberty despite winning 2024 title.
• Dallas seeks experienced coach to guide Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers.

Australian Opals and former New York Liberty WNBA championship head coach Sandy Brondello has emerged as the leading target for the Dallas Wings ahead of the 2026 WNBA season.

Brondello, 57, and the Liberty parted ways after the her contract wasn't renewed for next season, despite bringing a championship to the Big Apple in 2024.

Jake Fischer reports the Wings have been searching for candidates with head coaching experience "and that 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."

Wings ownership has reportedly "focused its coaching search primarily on Brondello."

New York Liberty superstar Breanna Stewart was full of mirth when a reporter asked about Brondello's future immediately after the the defending champs were knocked out of the 2025 WNBA playoffs by the Mercury last month.

"To anybody that questions Sandy being here — this is a resilient group, and she has our back and we have hers," Stewart declared.

"The way she dealt with the cards she was dealt was incredible.

"It wasn’t easy for anybody, but she came in every day with a positive attitude and mindset to put us in the best positions possible.

"We’re not going to be a team that points fingers. A lot of us could have done better this season, but we’re still going to fight and show up for each other every single day.

"That’s what’s most important. We have Sandy’s back."

Just a few days later, the Liberty decided not to renew Brondello.

Overall WNBA Head Coaching Record (through 2024):

• ‍Regular Season: 255–161 (.613)
• Playoffs: 38–29 (.567)

Sandy Brondello's coaching career

• 2005–2009: Assistant Coach – San Antonio Silver Stars (WNBA)
• 2010: Assistant Coach – Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA)
• 2011–2013: Associate Head Coach – San Antonio Silver Stars
• 2014–2021: Head Coach – Phoenix Mercury
• 2017–present: Head Coach – Australian Opals
• 2022–present: Head Coach – New York Liberty

Major Coaching Accolades

• ‍WNBA Championships: 2014 (Phoenix Mercury); and 2024 (New York Liberty)
• ‍FIBA Women’s World Cup Silver Medal: 2018 (Australia)
• ‍FIBA Women’s World Cup Bronze Medal: 2022 (Australia)
• ‍WNBA Coach of the Year: 2014
• ‍WNBA Western Conference Coach of the Month: Multiple awards (2014, 2015, 2018, 2024)
• ‍Olympic Head Coach (Australia): Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 qualification cycle
• ‍Franchise records:
  Phoenix Mercury – 29 regular-season wins in 2014 (WNBA record at the time)
  New York Liberty – 32 regular-season wins in 2024 (franchise record)