It’s something he and the franchise he represents lean into. They embody tennis legend Billie Jean King’s iconic quote, “Pressure is a privilege.”

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Kolb’s comments hinted at frustration over the Liberty’s reliance on isolation-heavy offense and streaky three-point shooting. While Brondello’s strategy delivered wins, it sometimes left the team vulnerable against elite defensive units like the Aces and Sun. The front office reportedly wants a coach who can install a more versatile, positionless style of basketball — one that uses Stewart as a hybrid playmaker, unleashes Ionescu’s creativity, and keeps Jones dominant inside without sacrificing spacing.

But the real jaw-dropper came when Kolb laid out his blueprint for the next head coach. According to insiders, the Liberty are targeting a candidate who blends NBA-style innovation with WNBA-specific experience. The franchise wants someone who embraces analytics, advanced scouting, and modern offensive systems while also understanding the unique rhythm of the women’s game. “We need a coach who’s as comfortable talking about player wellness and travel schedules as they are about pick-and-roll coverages,” Kolb reportedly said.

Speculation about potential replacements is already running wild. Some names in the mix include Becky Hammon, whose championship pedigree with the Aces makes her the dream hire if she were ever pried away; Noelle Quinn, who has experience managing star players in Seattle; and rising assistants with NBA-WNBA crossover experience. A dark horse candidate could even come from the NBA ranks — a developmental guru eager to make a mark by leading one of the most talented rosters in women’s basketball.

Kolb, the Liberty general manager, knew when making what he called a “bold” decision to fire Sandy Brondello this week that it would come with some scrutiny and plenty of questions.

Kolb did his best to answer some of those questions Thursday, when speaking to reporters for the first time since the season ended.

And it was abundantly clear that Kolb understands the momentous importance of what happens next.

“We need to nail this,” Kolb said in referencing his third coaching search since he stepped into office in 2019.

Kolb felt like the Liberty were confronting a “fork-in-the-road moment,” despite only being a year removed from their first WNBA title.

“You can stand still,” Kolb said, “or you can embrace change and move forward.”

Kolb chose to do the latter Tuesday, when he decided to not pick up the team option on Brondello’s contract for 2026 and to end a four-year relationship that peaked with a celebratory parade up Manhattan’s Canyon of Heroes last fall.

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Sandy Brondello reacts on the Liberty sideline during a game on Sept. 9, 2025.Getty Images
Kolb stressed his decision to dump Brondello was part of a “thorough” evaluation process that extended beyond this season. He also emphasized the franchise’s “pride in being innovative and … future-oriented” as part of the reason why it had to happen.

“This decision was in no way punitive, nor was it reactive, but it’s instead rooted in being proactive. Nor was this decision based solely on the results this past season,” Kolb said. “Ultimately we determined that evolution and innovation is what is needed at this time.

Liberty general manager Jonathan KolbIcon Sportswire via Getty Images
“This is not a results-based organization. This is not about not winning or winning. It’s about how do we position ourselves to be at the top of the league in a real sustainable way as the league does evolve in the ways we’re talking about on the floor.”

Brondello was widely believed to be on the hot seat in 2024, but the Liberty winning a title seemingly bought her time. Kolb said the organization leaned into continuity this season by bringing Brondello back with the team’s core.

The Liberty opened 2025 with a franchise-best 9-0 start before injuries impeded them. They finished 27-17 and in fifth place before being bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Mercury.

Brondello’s sometimes questionable rotation decisions and conservative use of the bench, especially down the stretch, were points of contention.

She was outcoached at times throughout the season and, most notably, during the first round of the playoffs.

Players backed Brondello after the stunning Game 3 loss, but Kolb, in his commitment to “keep pushing the New York Liberty to new heights,” felt it was necessary to bring a “freshness and an energy” to the group, anchored by Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones.

The Liberty are going to take their time in finding Brondello’s replacement. Kolb said they have a “very clear vision” of qualities their ideal candidate would possess, though he kept specifics close to his vest, he said, to avoid people from taking his comments as shade toward Brondello.

Part of being innovative is having a coach that understands modern basketball principles on both sides of the ball.

Sources have said the Liberty are interested in a candidate with NBA experience, and Kolb acknowledged as such when he said Brondello’s successor doesn’t need to have prior WNBA experience.

“I don’t think we want to limit our scope on a candidate,” he said. “We want to have a really diverse pool of candidates to speak with.”

Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart watch from the Liberty bench during their Game 2 loss to the Mercury on Sept. 17, 2025.Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Several people around the NBA and WNBA have said the Liberty coaching job is an attractive opportunity — not only because of the team’s recent success, but because of the clear commitment from ownership to invest in the team.

The Liberty have led the way with having a larger, more robust front office staff. They also revel in their top-notch player experience and are building a 75,000-square-foot practice facility that’s set to open in 2027.

The WNBA’s landscape is changing. For years, premier coaching candidates were slim pickings, in part because of the league and teams’ lack of resources. But that’s not the case now.

“Candidates are now looking at this league not as a stepping stone but as a destination,” Kolb said, “and that should be tremendously exciting, and so for me, I feel that the pool is vast.”

There’s no taking away Brondello’s impact on the Liberty. She leaves as the franchise’s all-time winningest coach, and her name is forever etched in the team’s history as the first coach to take the Liberty to the league’s ultimate triumph.

Sandy Brondello yells out instructions during the Liberty’s season-ending loss on Sept. 19, 2025.

The New York Liberty’s bombshell decision to part ways with head coach Sandy Brondello sent shockwaves through the WNBA — but now, the franchise’s front office has finally broken its silence. In a stunning revelation, Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb has reportedly exposed the real reasons behind the move and offered fans a glimpse into the jaw-dropping blueprint for the team’s next coach.

At first, Brondello’s firing left fans puzzled. After all, she had just guided the Liberty to their first-ever WNBA championship, cementing her place in franchise history. But according to Kolb, the decision wasn’t about the past — it was about the future. “Sandy did an incredible job getting us to that milestone,” he explained in private team meetings that later surfaced. “But our vision for the next era of Liberty basketball demands a new voice, a new philosophy, and a leader who can push this group even further.”

The cracks, insiders suggest, began to show late in the 2024 season. Despite the championship run, tensions reportedly grew over Brondello’s rotations, defensive schemes, and player usage. Some players allegedly felt boxed in by her system, while the front office believed the team wasn’t maximizing its star-studded roster of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones. The Liberty’s management concluded that if they wanted a dynasty — not just a one-time title — a bold change was necessary.

The Liberty are also prioritizing culture and communication. Brondello, while respected, was sometimes described as “old school” in her approach, and management wants someone who can foster deeper connections with Gen Z athletes in an era where player empowerment is central. Expect the next coach to be heavily involved in sports science, mental health support, and building year-round chemistry, not just game-night strategies.

For fans, the move is bittersweet. Brondello’s name will forever be etched in Liberty history for delivering the team’s first title, but the GM’s revelations make it clear that the Liberty aren’t content with one banner. They want a dynasty that rivals Las Vegas — and they’re willing to take risks to get there.

The WNBA world is now on high alert. With one of the league’s most high-profile jobs open, the coaching carousel could get chaotic, and whoever steps into the role will inherit enormous expectations. Championship rosters don’t come around often, and in New York — with its big-market pressure and global spotlight — the margin for error is razor-thin.

Kolb summed it up bluntly in his reported remarks: “Winning one championship is special. But we’re not here to be one-hit wonders. We’re here to build the greatest dynasty women’s basketball has ever seen.”