As the free agency and the WNBA draft come near, franchises are busy getting their math in place. However, while most teams have already hired their head coaches, the New York Liberty remains the only team still in limbo. After a successful championship run last year and a playoff qualification this year, Liberty unexpectedly fired its head coach, Sandy Brondello.
Now, as Brondello immediately landed a job with the Toronto Tempo, New York is still searching for the right fit. Initially, there were rumors that their assistant coach, Sonia Raman, would take over. However, that probability also disappeared as Seattle recruited Raman as their mentor.
Now, at the moment, there are a couple of names circling around for the position of Liberty’s head coach. And while one of them, Jama Mahlalela, and Kristi Toliver, too, have been making some steady progress.
Kristi Toliver To Be Preferred Over Jama Mahlalela By The New York Liberty
As Liberty’s search for its perfect mentor continues, Madeline Kenney reported that the names of the New York Post’s Kristi Toliver and Will Weaver are in the race. Later, The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer confirmed a third name, which was Mahlela.
According to the news from Fischer, the current Toronto Raptors’ head coach, Mahlalela, had a meeting with Liberty co-owner, Clara Wu Tsai. However, by the looks of it, Mahlalela might not be the first choice for the Liberty.
The Liberty haven’t completely wrapped up the interview process for their next head coach, but the search is possibly nearing its end.
— Madeline Kenney (@madkenney) November 12, 2025
Kristi Toliver, Will Weaver and an NBA Eastern Conference assistant coach are finalists. More: https://t.co/o6dnbNoXsE
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As of now, it might be Toliver who will get the nod. Toliver is currently the associate head coach for the Phoenix Mercury. Going back a few years, the Mercury assistant coach was an impressive point guard back in the day. However, she has also stepped up her coaching game. She joined the Dallas Mavericks to assist Jason Kidd back in 2021.
Now, with Nate Tibbetts assisting, the Mercury head coach has been full of praise for Toliver. Meanwhile, not only Tibbetts, but Alyssa Thomas, too, heaped praises on Kristi Toliver.
Kristi Toliver Got A Significant Head Coach Push From Alyssa Thomas
The WNBA finals did not go as per the plan for the Mercury. And while they lost the series 4-0, Game 4 was particularly a disheartening experience for head coach Nate Tibbetts. Complaining about a foul not called, Tibbetts got ejected after receiving a couple of technical fouls.
And immediately, Toliver stepped up and started to motivate her team. Now, although the team lost the game, Thomas heavily praised Toliver’s efforts.
“So, KT and I go way back. Just super proud of that, and first and foremost for her to even be here, but she’s a phenomenal coach. She definitely deserves her chance at being a head coach. Somebody who’s played and really knows the game. She’s ready for this moment,” said Thomas.
Alyssa Thomas advocated for Kristi Toliver to be a future WNBA head coach.
— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) October 11, 2025
“She’s a phenomenal coach. She definitely deserves her chance at being a head coach. Somebody that’s played and really knows the game. She’s ready for this moment.”
Q: @ayabdeen pic.twitter.com/XHqvfuiL01
Thus, there is still confusion regarding the head coaching role of the Liberty. Now, fans are eager to see who makes it in the future.