The WNBA coaching carousel is spinning at full tilt this October, and all eyes are on Sandy Brondello as she emerges as the most sought-after candidate in the league. With both the expansion Toronto Tempo and the Dallas Wings vying for her signature, Brondello’s next move could set the tone for the future of women’s professional basketball in North America. The stakes? Nothing less than the culture and competitive trajectory of two franchises at pivotal crossroads.
Toronto’s entry into the WNBA marks a historic moment for Canadian basketball fans. The Tempo, eager to make a splash in their inaugural season, are reportedly closing in on naming their first head coach. According to several sources, Sandy Brondello has quickly become the clear favorite. Brondello’s credentials are hard to match: she guided the New York Liberty to their first-ever WNBA championship and previously captured a title with the Phoenix Mercury. Her reputation for player development, adaptability, and leadership has made her one of the league’s most respected and accomplished coaches.
Monica Wright Rogers, the general manager of the Toronto Tempo, is believed to view Brondello as the ideal architect for the franchise’s debut. For an expansion team, expectations are often modest, but Wright Rogers wants to set a winning tone from day one. Brondello’s interest in Toronto reportedly stems from the unique opportunity to build a team from the ground up. The prospect of shaping a roster through free agency and the expansion draft, while establishing a new basketball culture in a city hungry for WNBA action, is a rare and enticing challenge.
“Sandy Brondello can set the Tempo’s culture,” said one league insider, capturing the sentiment around Brondello’s potential impact. Her arrival would send a clear message: Toronto is not content to simply participate—they intend to compete. The Tempo have conducted interviews with other experienced candidates, including former Chicago Sky coach James Wade, Indiana Pacers assistant Jenny Boucek, and former Atlanta Dream coach Tanisha Wright. Yet, Brondello’s championship pedigree and leadership qualities have set her apart in the eyes of Toronto’s front office.
While Toronto appears to be in the driver’s seat, they are not alone in their pursuit. The Dallas Wings are also in the midst of a high-profile coaching search after dismissing Chris Koclanes following a disappointing 10-34 campaign. Koclanes, in his first season as a head coach, struggled to generate momentum despite a standout year from rookie sensation Paige Bueckers, who claimed both Rookie of the Year honors and a spot on the All-WNBA team. The Wings’ decision to part ways with Koclanes was seen as necessary by most observers, given the team’s underwhelming performance and the need for a steady, experienced hand at the helm.
For Dallas, stability has been elusive. The franchise hasn’t had a coach last longer than two seasons since 2018, and they’ve only finished above .500 once in that span. The Wings are determined to break that cycle, and Brondello’s track record makes her an appealing candidate. As one report put it, “Although Brondello has drawn some criticisms for her coaching style this season, she’s still made as many WNBA Finals appearances (three, winning two) as she has missed the playoffs in her coaching career.” For a team desperate to build around Bueckers and establish a long-term foundation, Brondello represents both credibility and hope.
Yet, the Wings are casting a wide net. Former NBA head coach Dave Joerger is also in the running for the Dallas job, bringing a wealth of experience from his stints with the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings. Joerger led the Grizzlies to a 147-99 record and three playoff appearances from 2013 to 2016 before moving to the Kings, where he faced a tougher rebuild. He’s also served as an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks and won a G League championship with the Dakota Wizards in 2007. Dallas’s willingness to consider candidates from outside the traditional WNBA coaching pool signals an openness to new ideas and approaches.
Still, Brondello remains the likeliest option for Dallas, according to multiple sources. The timing of the Wings’ coaching change—coming soon after Brondello’s own departure from New York—has fueled speculation that the franchise is positioning itself to make a compelling offer. The Wings are also preparing to unveil a new practice facility before next season and plan to move to downtown Dallas by 2027, signaling a commitment to long-term growth and stability. Pairing a coach of Brondello’s caliber with a generational talent like Bueckers could be the formula Dallas needs to finally turn the corner.
The intrigue doesn’t end there. Seattle Storm, another WNBA powerhouse, has also reportedly shown interest in Brondello. However, Toronto’s combination of flexibility, resources, and vision may prove decisive. Wright Rogers’ emphasis on leadership and stability aligns perfectly with Brondello’s strengths, and her potential arrival could spark a domino effect across the league as other teams finalize their coaching decisions.
For Brondello, the decision looms large. Does she take on the challenge of building a franchise from scratch in Toronto, with the chance to leave an indelible mark on Canadian basketball history? Or does she opt for the established, if somewhat tumultuous, environment in Dallas, where immediate expectations are higher but the pieces for success—like Bueckers—are already in place?
Regardless of her choice, Brondello’s next destination will reverberate throughout the WNBA. Her leadership style, championship experience, and reputation for developing talent make her the kind of coach who can transform a team’s fortunes. As one league observer noted, “Her hiring would also send a message that Toronto is serious about establishing a winning culture from day one.” The same could be said for Dallas, should they manage to lure her south.
With the WNBA’s coaching market heating up and expansion franchises eager to make their mark, the next few weeks promise plenty of drama and speculation. As of October 17, 2025, the action is still unfolding, and the basketball world waits with bated breath to see where Sandy Brondello will land—and how her decision will shape the league’s next era.
One thing’s for sure: wherever Brondello goes, expectations will follow. And for Toronto, Dallas, and the entire WNBA, the future just got a whole lot more interesting.
