New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello may have parted ways with the Phoenix Mercury in 2021, but her eight-year tenure still means a lot to her even now in a different situation.
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After three seasons (2011-13) as an assistant with the Los Angeles Angeles Sparks, Brondello became a WNBA head coach as she was hired by the Mercury in 2014. She replaced interim coach Russ Pennell.
In just her first season in charge, Brondello guided the Mercury to the all-time WNBA record of most wins in a season at the time, 29. Last year, the Las Vegas Aces won 34 games to set the current record.
With Candice Dupree, Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner headlining their star-studded lineup, Phoenix went on to win its third championship, taking down the Chicago Sky in the 2014 WNBA Finals.
During her stint with the Mercury, they made the playoffs every year (2014-21) and had a combined record of 150-108, becoming one of the most dominant franchises in the league.
The two sides would then mutually split in 2021 after a season in which they finished 19-13 and lost in the WNBA Finals to Chicago, 3-1.
While she is now in New York and the team has been fairly successful since her arrival, Brondello is grateful for her time in Phoenix and the fans that cheered her on.
“The fans have always been great here, the X-Factor is amazing, treated me so well,” Brondello said after the Liberty faced the Mercury on Tuesday. “I had eight great years here, so it is always nice to come back to Phoenix. I still live here in the offseason.”
"It's always nice to come back here."
Our @AlecCipollini asked former Mercury and current New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello about how special it was to come back to Phoenix, a place where she still lives in the offseason.#ValleyTogether #WNBA #LightItUpNYL pic.twitter.com/lOKMobU2f5
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) June 19, 2024
The Liberty came into Phoenix on Tuesday with an eight-game winning streak and were the second-best team in the league with a 12-2 record.
Both teams would combine for a historic 33 3-pointers made, the most in a WNBA game ever, as the Mercury beat the Liberty 99-93. All five starters on each team scored at least 10 points, with Breanna Stewart leading all players with 28 for New York.
Brondello will look to lead the Liberty to a WNBA Finals appearance and with Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones, she is in a similar situation of coaching stars that have what it takes to reach the pinnacle of professional women’s basketball once again.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers ASU Athletics, Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
