Despite the WNBA playoffs still going on, the offseason is already here for several teams, and it’s started with some massive shifts in the coaching realm.
The offseason often brings a lot of changes, including new players, new front office leadership and, yes, new coaches. However, we’re not quite sure we saw some of the recent moves made in the league this week. New York Liberty coach Sandy Brondello was let go on Tuesday, sending shockwaves through parts of the WNBA community. Brondello, who won a championship last year, was the second firing within the last three days. (Seattle Storm coach Noelle Quinn also parted ways with her franchise.)
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With so many changes, it started to make us wonder: who else is available that could be a good coach? Well, there’s actually some really good talent out there, and while this isn’t an exhaustive list, it’s a good place to start. Here are Brondello and six other top WNBA coaching candidates on the market:
1. Sandy Brondello
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 19: Head coach Sandy Brondello of the New York Liberty yells towards her players in the first quarter against the Phoenix Mercury during Game Three of the first round of the WNBA playoffs at PHX Arena on September 19, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Aryanna Frank/Getty Images)
The candidate at the top of most coaching lists is likely former New York Liberty coach Sandy Brondello. Brondello spent the last four seasons as the head coach of the Liberty. Under her leadership, the Liberty made the playoffs every year, including back-to-back WNBA Finals appearances. In 2024, the Liberty won the franchise’s first championship under Brondello, and she also became the winningest coach in team history. Before her time with New York, she spent eight seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, where she also won a championship in 2014. Seattle needs to give her a call immediately.
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2. Noelle Quinn
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – AUGUST 13: Head coach Noelle Quinn of the Seattle Storm reacts against the Atlanta Dream at Climate Pledge Arena on August 13, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Noelle Quinn spent five seasons with the Seattle Storm before she was let go earlier this week. With Quinn, Seattle made the postseason four out of the last five years, including two appearances in the semi-finals. Quinn was also an assistant coach on the team when the franchise won a title in 2020. Before becoming a coach, Quinn played 13 seasons in the WNBA for five different franchises, including the Storm. Keep an eye on Quinn. The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo are still in their coaching searches.
3. Latricia Tramell, Los Angeles Sparks
Sep 26, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Dallas Wings head coach Latricia Trammell speaks to players on the court during game two of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Latricia Trammell is currently on the Sparks’ staff as a special assistant to current head coach Lynne Roberts. However, she could become an intriguing candidate in coaching searches. She previously spent time as the head coach of the Dallas Wings for two seasons, where she took Dallas to the semi-finals in her first year. Unfortunately, a mountain of injuries derailed her second season, and the Wings missed the playoffs.
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4. Nola Henry, Dallas Wings
Sep 10, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Sparks coach Nola Henry reacts in the second half against the Connecticut Sun at the Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Henry is currently an assistant coach on the Dallas Wings staff under Chris Koclanes. However, she’s a sleeper candidate who could get some phone calls. Henry has been in WNBA circles since 2020, holding a variety of positions along the way with the Connecticut Sun, Los Angeles Sparks and the Wings. Most recently, during her offseason, she was also the head coach of Rose BC in Unrivaled. Her success there was notable as Rose became the champion of the league, and multiple players walked away with league honors.
5. Teresa Weatherspoon
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 05: Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon of the Chicago Sky reacts against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on July 05, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Teresa Weatherspoon is a former player turned coach who could get some consideration in coaching interviews. Weatherspoon has spent time in the coaching ranks at both the NBA and WNBA levels and was most recently the head coach of the Chicago Sky in 2024. Unfortunately, the Sky did not make the playoffs in her lone season as head coach, and she was let go. However, Weatherspoon found her footing with Unrivaled, becoming the head coach of Vinyl BC in 2025.
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6. Briann January, Indiana Fever
Aug 31, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Indiana Fever assistant coach Briann January (right) talks with guard Shey Peddy (5) during the second quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The Indiana Fever might not let Briann January leave the premises, but if they do, teams should run to go get her. January is a former player who found success coaching at the college, NBA and WNBA levels, before landing with the team that drafted her. Her primary responsibilities with Indiana as an assistant coach are tied to helping to manage the Fever’s defensive game plans. Indiana finished 2025 in the top half of defenses across the league. However, their best work has been in the playoffs, where they are currently ranked third as of this publication.
7. Lisa Leslie
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 19: (L-R) Former WNBA player Lisa Leslie poses with Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky during the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
WNBA legend Lisa Leslie has previously interviewed for WNBA head coaching jobs, and after being turned down for candidates she felt were less qualified than her, she’s essentially sworn off any future opportunities that might arise. However, if someone can lure her to an opportunity to chat again, Leslie could be a tremendous dark horse candidate. Besides her Hall of Fame career as a two-time WNBA champion, three-time MVP and eight-time All-Star, she has coached in the BIG3 league, where she won a championship in 2019, and she’s also worked with current WNBA players to help them develop different parts of their game.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Sandy Brondello and the 6 best available WNBA coaches
