Following the dismissal of Noelle Quinn, the Seattle Storm made a bold move with New York Liberty’s assistant coach Sonia Raman being appointed as the head coach. The move is a major landmark as Raman is now the first Indian-origin staff member to become the head coach.
However, while New York dismissed Sandy Brondello from the coaching role, the Liberty were reportedly considering Sonia Raman as one of the candidates for their head coach role.
Seattle Storm Names Sonia Raman As Head Coach
The New York Liberty lost their second member of the coaching staff after the Toronto Tempo appointed Sandy Brondello as their head coach earlier this week. Now the Seattle Storm selected the Liberty’s assistant coach. Sonia Raman.
Seattle let go of coach Noelle Quinn following the Las Vegas Aces’ defeat of the Storm in the first round of the postseason. The team made the announcement before the close of the 2025 season.
NY Liberty assistant Sonia Raman has agreed to a multiyear deal to become the new head coach of the Seattle Storm, sources tell ESPN. Raman makes WNBA history as the first person of Indian-origin to be head coach – after being the first Indian-American woman to be NBA assistant. pic.twitter.com/HH1tPslIac
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 24, 2025
Raman now faces several challenges with the Seattle Storm, with only two players under contract for next season. Both Rookies have been very impactful for the team in the 2025 season, but they could lose multiple veteran players like Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams, and Brittney Sykes to free agency.
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While the team direction is now confirmed, they are awaiting completion of the CBA negotiations to add the players to the roster. While Raman’s name might be new for some fans, her exclusive resume certainly supports her appointment.
How Does Sonia Raman Fit In The Storm?
While her selection as the first Indian-origin coach may surprise many, Raman has been in coaching for over two decades. She started her career at Wellesley and then led the MIT engineering college to the Division III NCAA Tournament, winning two coach of the year accolades in the process.
Memphis Grizzlies’ Taylor Jankins joined his coaching staff, utilizing her expertise in various areas, including scouting, player development, and analytics. Then the 51-year-old joined the New York Liberty franchise in 2024 before becoming the HC of the Seattle franchise.
With vast experience in various fields of management and game, Raman could be a perfect selection for the rebuilding franchise, having a young core at the heart of its development.