We’re stuck in a waiting game. Teams and players are waiting for a new CBA to be signed between the WNBA and Players’ Association. Until that occurs, most league business is on pause. While we wait, teams have started to fill their head coaching vacancies. The New York Liberty haven’t figured out their replacement for Sandy Brondello yet. However, we’re starting to get a feel as to who they may have in mind.
On October 11, Madeline Kenney of the NY Post reported that the team will interview Phoenix Mercury assistant, Kristi Toliver. KT played 14 years in the WNBA and won two championships. Prior to her retirement, she began working as an assistant head coach in the NBA with the Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks. After Mercury head coach Nate Tibbets got ejected in Game 4 of the Finals, Toliver took over as head coach. Although Phoenix fell short, Toliver’s poise under pressure earned her raved reviews.
“KT and I go way back,” Alyssa Thomas said after Game 4. “Just super proud of that, and first and foremost for her to even be here, but she’s a phenomenal coach. She definitely deserves her chance at being a head coach. Somebody who’s played and really knows the game. She’s ready for this moment.”
The Liberty have considered options that are closer to home and one that’s familiar to Brooklyn Nets fans.
According to Ben Pickman of The Athletic, the Liberty interviewed former Nets assistant head coach and former Long Island Nets head coach, Will Weaver. Weaver has decades of men’s college and professional experience dating back to his days at the University of Texas. He was a finalist for head coach of the Australian Men’s National Team before the job went to Adam Caporn. Weaver has earned raves across the board as his work on player development has made successful coach in various locations.
“He is a cutting-edge coach with a focus on player development,” Sydney Kings co-owner Paul Smith said in 2019, “perfect for the forward-looking organisation we are currently building.”
It’s an expansive process that the Liberty have to get right, and we got a bit of a behind-the-scenes look at it in the latest episode of Liberty Unlocked.
As Jonathan Kolb mentioned in his media availability, the Liberty HAVE to get this hire right. They’ve got all the time in the world to pick the person that will lead them into the future. We’ll see how they do.
What’s next for the Liberty?
After the coaching search is complete, the focus will turn to the roster. With most of the league entering free agency this off-season, the landscape of the WNBA will be radically different. I discussed that as well as other big picture issues on the October 20th episode of Gotta Get Up
The Liberty have a lot to figure out, but possess plenty of resources to get them back into championship contention. As New York prepares for its future, they have the resources and talent needed to get back into title contention. Now it’s just a matter of picking the right leader and finding success at the margins.