Bird’s Eye View with Sue Bird

Episode: Sandy Brondello on Leaving the New York Liberty, Coaching Philosophies, and Her Basketball Career

Release Date: October 31, 2025

Main Theme and Purpose

In this insightful and candid episode, Sue Bird sits down with Sandy Brondello—accomplished former player, WNBA championship coach, and newly-appointed inaugural head coach of the Toronto Tempo—to traverse her basketball journey from a farm in Australia to the WNBA and international stardom. The conversation covers Sandy’s unique upbringing, coaching philosophy, experiences transitioning from player to coach, reflections on recent coaching changes, and the evolution of women’s basketball on and off the court. Both share behind-the-scenes stories and thoughtful discussion on leadership, team culture, and embracing change in pro sports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Growing Up in Australia and Early Influences

[07:19–12:38]

• Unique Upbringing:

  • Sandy reflects on growing up in rural Mackay, Queensland, on a sugar cane farm.
    • “My mum actually couldn't drive...So my dad...built something on the water tank at the back.” [07:30]
  • The court was fashioned from boards on a water tank—limiting dribbles and shapes her trademark pull-up jumper.
  • Farm work contributed to her early physical strength: "I think that's why I was pretty strong as a young kid, you know, helping on the farm as much as we can."

• Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) / Center of Excellence:

  • Offered a unique, all-athlete environment blending semi-pro competition, daily training, and holistic development.
  • Coach Adrian Hurley’s early belief:
    • “He goes, you're gonna play for Australia. And I'm like, really?...It came true like 9 months, year later.” [09:28]
  • The AIS setting fostered growth, competition, and shaped most Opals' careers.

Playing Career—Strengths, Memories, WNBA Transition

[12:38–28:33]

• Playing Profile & Style:

  • Elite shooter (career 41% from 3), conditioning, basketball IQ; lived off her pull-up and rarely shot layups!
  • "My best play was a one bounce pull-up...moving...find gaps...my conditioning was elite..." [12:59]
  • Sue recalls Sandy’s work ethic and personal care, and a funny side note: Sandy introduced her to avocado toast!
    • "You introduced me to avocados...here, try this avocado toast. I was like, what is this magical green stuff...?" [14:56]
    • "Work ethic and avocado." [15:10]

• WNBA Beginnings and Adjustments:

  • Entered WNBA in 1998 (Detroit), played for Detroit, Miami, and Seattle; played against legends and experienced league transformation.
    • "International scouting wasn't what it is today, let's be honest." [18:04]
  • Sandy recalls the awe witnessing Michelle Timms’ impact and citywide buzz in Phoenix during the league’s first years.

• All-Star & International Moments:

  • Played in first WNBA All-Star Game (1999): "Whitney Houston sings the national anthem...Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, Cheryl Swoopes..." [20:58]
  • Reflections on playing with/against Lauren Jackson, Sue Bird, and other Aussies; fun stories about off-court memories and National Team camaraderie.

National Team & International Career

[24:32–28:10]

• Pride in the Green & Gold:
  • Third most capped Australian player: 302 games, 4 Olympics, 2 Olympic silvers, 1 bronze; cherished those experiences most.
    • “Everyone talks about what’s your greatest highlight. For me, it was playing for Australia, you know, and putting the green and gold on.” [27:13]
  • Light-hearted mention of bodysuits and Lauren Jackson’s journey—from "sitting on her mum’s lap" at age 16 to international comeback mother.

Coaching Transition—Philosophy and Leadership

[32:14–40:51]

• Natural Progression to Coach:

  • Inspired by husband Olaf Lange’s example and a deep love for basketball study, scouting, and leadership.
  • Hired by Dan Hughes in San Antonio: “Forever grateful...that started this journey and here I still am.” [33:48]

• Coaching Style:

  • Defined by calm demeanor, authenticity, collaboration, culture-building, and openness to player feedback.
  • “I’m not a dictator. ...I want to be a collaborator. ...the relationship’s the most important thing.” [35:27]
  • Adapts systems and culture based on players: “You have to be adaptable...put players in the best spots to have success.” [36:55]
  • Treats “culture” as player-driven, with mutual alignment and shared values.
  • Sue commends: “...adaptability...or else it’s just going to be square hole, round peg kind of vibe...” [37:57]

• Calm Under Pressure:

  • “I'm not, I'm very calm...Even under pressure, I may be feeling pressure, but you may not see it...I don't get too high or too low because I can't let my emotions dictate my decision making.” [38:34]
  • Learned to find joy in winning, not just pursue perfection, and bounce back quickly from losses.

Managing Team Adversity, Pressure, and Personal Balance

[41:29–45:18]

• Uplifting Players After Losses:

  • “Players are already beating themselves up...so you have to keep players confident and on course, but still hold them accountable.” [41:29]
  • Focuses on “solution, not the problem”; platforms players’ voices for collaborative improvement.

• Personal Coping & Support Systems:

  • Relaxes after tough games with TV shows; avoids overanalyzing immediately but revisits with fresh perspective.
  • Relies on support networks, notably tennis coach/friend Renee Stubbs, for venting and advice.
  • “As a player, I wouldn't go to sleep. ...As a coach, I go to sleep, but then I'll wake up, and it's just replaying over...” [44:00]

• Shifting from Player to Coach—Letting Go of Control:

  • “You just...trust that you've done enough that they make the right decisions, but they're human. ...I've been around it and try to...give them what they need at that time.” [45:47]

Working with Greatness—Legendary Players & Teams

[48:31–61:19]

• Coaching Stars (Diana Taurasi, Lauren Jackson, Stewie, etc.):

  • On Diana: “Sometimes you have to learn to push it and sometimes you gotta let it burn. ...don't poke the bear.” [48:49]
  • On Stewie: “No better superstar than her...her work ethic, her professionalism, her consistency...her leadership, but it's still through actions which I love.” [51:46]

• Collaboration and Team Building:

  • Greatness emerges from player/coach alignment and passing:
    • “Passing is a skill that's kind of slipped now. ...Diana, like we could put here and she'd know where to pass it to BG. ...She was like a BG whisperer.” [58:12]
  • Adapted from 2014 Mercury duo (Taurasi-Griner) to Liberty’s (Stewart-Sabrina), emphasizing communication, flexibility, and chemistry.

• Epic Games and Rivalries:

  • Sue and Sandy banter over intense playoff series (notably 2018 and 2021), playoff adversity, and the enduring lessons from each.

On Change—Leaving Phoenix, Winning in NY, and Parting Ways

[61:19–68:58]

• Finding Closure with Coaching Changes:

  • Both Phoenix and New York departures followed Finals runs/championships.
    • "And Diana and I have spoken about in the years past...Dee, it was time. You needed a new voice and I needed a new challenge." [64:21]
  • Stresses the “window” of pro sports and the need for organizations to refresh voices and dynamics—applies to coaches and player personnel alike.
  • “If the alignment gets a little bit off...it’s time to move. ...Teams have to do what they think is best.” [65:18]

• Leaving New York Liberty:

  • Recognizes difficulty repeating, disruptive injuries, and that the “fit” with team leadership had waned:
    • “I just felt that it probably wasn’t the right fit anymore...I work best when I'm in a partnership.” [67:06]
  • Despite the exit, proud of the Liberty’s first championship and the “something special” built in NY.

• On Unrealistic Expectations (“championship or bust”):

  • “It’s hard to win...I understand the pressure...In playoffs, it gets harder. ...We won a championship. It doesn't matter how...We did it together.” [69:21]

• Fondest Title Memories & What It Meant:

  • “When you won one, you want to win again...My narrative hasn't changed. It’s just now I have to go win with a different team.” [72:42]

Legacy, Reflections, and What’s Next

[73:01–74:55]

• Longevity and Impact:
  • 60% career win rate, over 400 WNBA games coached, only one of two with multiple franchises’ titles, and Liberty’s all-time winningest coach.
  • Most proud of:
    • “The ability to have longevity...continue to evolve and be better. ...Am I building those connections? Do I have the chemistry? Do I have the support, the respect, the trust?...Are we building something special?...I love it, even when it is hard.” [73:38]
  • Acknowledges coaching is "lonely at the top"—importance of support systems.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sue on Sandy’s Player Impact:
  “My main takeaways outside of your shooting...was how fit you were...the way you took care of yourself...” [13:51]

• Sandy on Practice Court Upbringing:
  “I really couldn't do any layups because I'd be taken out by the water tank. ...That's how everyone talks about my pull up game...” [07:27]

• Sandy on Stepping Down:
  “I just knew. ...This is the end. ...Diana and I have spoken about it...Dee, it was time. You needed a new voice and I needed a new challenge.” [64:21]

• Sandy on Coaching Legacy:
  “Someone still wants to employ me. That’s a good thing, isn’t it?...Being around people you can enjoy that with, that's important as well because it's tough with what we do. ...It’s lonely at the top.” [73:38, 74:40]

• Sandy on Pressure:
  “I don't get too high or too low because I can't let my emotions dictate my decision making.” [39:10]

• Sue on Adapting as Coach:
  “...Adaptability. Like, you have to be able to, or else it's just going to be...square hole, round peg kind of vibe...” [37:57]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |-------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Sandy’s Early Life, Farm & First Court | 07:19–08:41 | | Australian Institute of Sport Experience | 09:14–12:17 | | Playing Career, Style & Avocado Toast | 12:38–15:10 | | WNBA Beginnings & Adjustments | 16:43–19:58 | | WNBA All Star, League Growth | 20:58–22:45 | | National Team Reflections, Playing with LJ | 24:32–28:10 | | Coaching Transition and Philosophy | 32:14–37:57 | | Calm Under Pressure & Team Leadership | 38:34–41:29 | | Managing Adversity & Personal Coping | 41:29–45:18 | | Coaching Greatness, Diana, Stewie, 2014 Mercury | 48:31–61:19 | | Phoenix & NY Exits, Organizational Change | 61:19–68:58 | | Reflections: Championship, Legacy | 70:32–74:55 |

Conclusion

This episode offers a rare, intimate look behind the curtain not only at Sandy Brondello’s storied basketball career—from her scrappy sugar-cane-bred pull-up jumper to multiple WNBA titles and international gold—but also at her human-first, collaborative approach to building teams, growing through Adversity, and leaving a lasting legacy wherever she goes. Listeners will come away with wisdom on leadership, adaptability, and the inner workings of championship culture—plus a few laughs about farm life, avocado toast, and celebrating in Liberty’s after-party.

“I still got lots to do. ...One door closes, another one opens.” — Sandy Brondello [68:58]