The New York Liberty have hired Australian national team and former Phoenix Mercury coach Sandy Brondello to be their head coach, the team announced.
Brondello had led the Mercury since 2014, winning the franchise's third title that year. She had a 150-108 record in eight seasons with Phoenix, making the playoffs every year. The Mercury lost 3-1 to Chicago in the WNBA Finals in October after going 19-13 in the regular season. Brondello's husband, Olaf Lange, is an assistant for Chicago.
She left the Mercury when her contract expired after the season and was almost immediately linked to the Liberty, who were looking for a coach with proven WNBA success to guide a young roster led by former No. 1 overall pick Sabrina Ionescu, last season's Rookie of the Year, Michaela Onyenwere and All-Star Betnijah Laney.
"It is an honor to join the historic New York Liberty franchise and to coach and lead such a talented roster of players," Brondello said in a statement. "I owe immense gratitude to the team's ownership and front office for entrusting me with this important role during such an integral time in the history of the organization. Alongside my family, I'm excited to move to New York City and begin preparations for our upcoming season."
Last season, the Liberty made the playoffs at 12-20 but won just one of their last nine regular-season games. They lost a single-elimination first-round playoff game to Phoenix.
Brondello replaces Walt Hopkins.
ESPN's Mechelle Voepel contributed to this report.
