Former Paris Basketball coach favorite to lead New York Liberty?

Will Weaver is among the candidates to succeed Sandy Brondello. The former criticized coach of Paris Basketball in 2022-2023 is on the Liberty's shortlist following the New York franchise's disappointing elimination.

By@Sylvain Sultat

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Former Paris Basketball coach favorite to lead New York Liberty?

Photo Credit : Lilian Bordron

The New York Liberty is seeking a fresh start after their early exit from the WNBA playoffs. Eliminated in the first round by the Phoenix Mercury, the New York franchise has decided to part ways with Sandy Brondello, who had been in charge since 2022, and is now launching their search for a new coach.

A philosophy focused on innovation and NBA experience

Jonathan Kolb, Liberty’s General Manager, explained in a press conference that his team needed « innovation and evolution. » This philosophy guides the franchise’s search, which emphasizes coaches with NBA experience, according to The Athletic.

Among the contacted candidates, Will Weaver (41) is a leading contender. The American, who coached Paris Basketball during the 2022-2023 season, has an interesting international profile. After his stint in France, he joined the Brooklyn Nets as an assistant before becoming Charles Lee’s advisor with the Charlotte Hornets.

The Liberty have interviewed NBA/NBA G League coaches Will Weaver and Joseph Blair for their head coach opening, per sources.

More new info on New York’s HC search — plus NEW info on the other 4 W openings below in my What I’m Hearing Notebook⬇️https://t.co/mxrayrUusJ https://t.co/StSJvhvhvQ

— Ben Pickman (@benpickman) October 17, 2025

Other names are on the list of candidates. Lindsey Harding, currently J.J. Redick’s assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers, is among the favorites. She was named G-League Coach of the Year in 2024 while leading the Stockton Kings, the Sacramento Kings‘ affiliate franchise.

Joseph Blair, coach of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, has also been contacted by the Liberty. Sonia Raman, former assistant to Sandy Brondello in New York, remains in contention, although she has interviewed with the Seattle Storm to replace Noelle Quinn, who was also dismissed.

Finally, the Liberty’s front office has requested permission from the Phoenix Mercury to interview Kristi Toliver, Nate Tibbetts’ assistant who briefly took the team’s reins during Game 4 of the WNBA Finals after Phoenix’s coach was ejected. This active search demonstrates the Liberty’s desire to bounce back quickly after this disappointing season.

Sylvain Sultat

Sylvain Sultat suit la NBA au quotidien, entre performances individuelles, dynamiques collectives et grandes histoires de la ligue. Sur BeBasket, il décrypte l’actualité américaine avec passion et régularité, toujours à l’affût des tendances qui font bouger le monde du basket.