Pressure doesn’t intimidate Jonathan Kolb. 

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

Kolb 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. The Liberty general manager did his best to answer some of them Thursday when speaking to reporters for the first time the season ended. 

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

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

Sandy Brondello reacts on the Liberty sideline during a game on Sept. 9, 2025. Getty Images

Kolb said he believed the Liberty were confronting a “fork-in-the-road moment” for the franchise, despite only being a year removed from its 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 to end a four-year relationship that peaked with a celebratory parade down Manhattan’s Canyon of Heroes last fall.

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. 

Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

“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.

“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 New York leaned into continuity this season by bringing Brondello back with its core. 

The Liberty opened 2025 with a franchise-best 9-0 start before injuries impeded them the rest of the way. 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 Mercury series. 

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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 the Liberty have a “very clear vision” of qualities their ideal candidate would possess, though Kolb kept specifics close to his vest 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. 

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

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.”

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 larger, more robust front office staff. They also tout their top-notch player experience, and are building an 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’s and teams’ lack of resources. But that’s not the case now. 

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

“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 lead the Liberty to the league’s ultimate triumph. 

“I actually think Sandy did a good job navigating this group through uncharted waters, through injuries and a lack of availability, and we’ve got a great level of appreciation for Sandy Brondello the head coach,” Kolb said. 

But the Liberty want a new voice to lead them into their next era.