ESPN Legend Calls Liberty's Brondello Firing a Huge Mistake

An ESPN legend has called the New York Liberty’s decision to fire head coach Sandy Brondello a “big, big, big mistake.”

The criticism comes after the Liberty fired her replacement, Chris DeMarco, on Tuesday.

DeMarco lasted just one season.

Former ESPN analyst Linda Cohn made the remarks Wednesday on “The Linda Cohn Show.”

She pointed directly at Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb.

“That was a big, big, big mistake,” Cohn said.

“Big mistake, for sure.”

Brondello led the Liberty to their first WNBA championship in 2024.

She compiled a 107-53 regular-season record over four seasons in New York.

She took the team to back-to-back Finals appearances.

But after an early playoff exit in 2025, Kolb chose not to renew her contract for 2026.

“Very serious thought and consideration was made to retaining Sandy (Brondello), but ultimately we determined that evolution and innovation is what is needed at this time,” Kolb said at the time.

He hired Chris DeMarco to lead that transition.

DeMarco had no previous WNBA coaching experience.

His one-year tenure ended Tuesday, making the Liberty the third head coach in three seasons.

Cohn did not hold back.

“Funny how Kolb, the GM, said, ‘We were looking forward. It wasn’t about the playoff loss. We wanted innovation. We wanted to keep pace with a changing league,’” Cohn said.

“So the guy he hired lasted exactly one year: Chris DeMarco.”

Cohn then questioned why Kolb himself had not faced similar scrutiny.

“And people might be saying, people that are Liberty fans, saying, ‘Well, why does the GM still have his job? He keeps changing coaches. You decided this guy was the way to go to replace Sandy Brondello,’” Cohn said.

Brondello, meanwhile, has moved on.

She was named the first head coach of the Toronto Tempo on Nov. 4, 2025.

The Tempo finished their inaugural season 11-33, ending with eight straight losses.

But there were bright spots, including strong attendance and the rise of guard Marina Mabrey.

Brondello was also named to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2027 on Thursday.

She is a two-time WNBA champion coach with the Phoenix Mercury and the Liberty.

She also led the Australian Opals to an Olympic bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Games.