Podcast Summary: GOOD FOLLOW - Sandy Brondello Fired From New York, Zero Black Women Headcoaches In The W, A’ja’s 4th MVP & More!

Date: September 23, 2025
Hosts: Roz Gold-Onwude & Angel McCoughtry
Episode Highlights: Roz and Angel dive into major WNBA coaching changes, the league's representation crisis, and celebrate A’ja Wilson’s historic fourth MVP, offering authentic insights, personal experiences, and raw emotion.

Episode Overview

This episode of Good Follow focuses on the shock firing of Sandy Brondello from the New York Liberty, sparking discussion about the culture of accountability and performance in the WNBA. The hosts also confront the troubling lack of Black women head coaches in a league made up predominantly of Black women athletes. The show wraps by celebrating A’ja Wilson’s tremendous accomplishments and addressing whether her sustained greatness is causing any apathy or undervaluation of her legacy.

Key Discussion Points

1. Sandy Brondello Fired by New York Liberty (02:21–10:00)

• Breaking News & Achievements:

  • Roz reports on Brondello's unexpected dismissal, noting she was only a year removed from delivering the Liberty’s first championship after 28 years. (02:21)
  • “This is the winningest coach in Liberty franchise history. It took the Liberty 28 years... Sandy got them over the hump.” – Roz (02:59)

• Reasons Behind the Firing:

  • Roz suggests that injuries, lack of roster continuity, and fatigue were critical obstacles for the Liberty this season.
  • However, “given the talent, the team often had effort and urgency issues… there were multiple times they did not come ready to play… perhaps the executives thought it showed a lack of preparedness.” – Roz (04:53)
  • Playoff criticisms included underutilized bench rotations.
  • The Liberty organization is sending a bold signal: first-round exits aren’t acceptable; only championships set the standard.

• Player Perspective:

  • Angel empathizes with players’ feelings and defends Brondello’s accomplishments:
    “There’s not always this fairy tale ending… But we are champions. This coach did take them to win a championship for the first time in franchise history.” (08:08)

• Notable Quote:

  • Angel references Breanna Stewart’s viral interview response on Brondello's future:
    [09:15] Roz: “What would you say to those who question whether Sandy should be here next year…?”
    [09:19] Angel: “What the beep? … Why am I gonna ask you, hey, you’re not that good of a reporter. Should you still keep your job?... There needs to be a standard of respect for these coaches, especially the winningest coaches…” (09:26)

2. The Vanishing of Black Women Head Coaches in the WNBA (11:52–20:54)

• The Crisis:

  • Seattle’s firing of Noelle Quinn leaves the league, comprised of 80% Black women, with no Black women head coaches. “Where are my black female head coaches at stand up now?” – Angel (13:19)
  • Angel lists qualified Black women candidates and challenges the status quo.

• Disparate Standards & Lack of Support:

  • Roz highlights inconsistencies in evaluating Black women coaches:
    “When they do get the opportunity, what is the nurturing of that black woman in that role?... Is she being supported?” (16:03)
  • Roz discusses Teresa Weatherspoon’s firing from Chicago after less than a year, despite outperforming her successor: “Spoon was hired... October 12, 2023. She was fired September 26, 2024… Spoon finished 13 and 27… this season’s team led by Tyler Marsh finished even worse 10 and 34… Why did the bar change?” (18:23)
  • Angel emphasizes need for clear feedback rather than sudden dismissal: “If a coach doesn’t tell you what they want…and they just sit you on the bench, you feel like you’re on your own island… That’s the same thing as a coach.” (19:28)

• Emotional Resonance:

  • Angel and Roz share moments of real vulnerability reflecting on the isolation and lack of support Black women face as leaders in sports.

3. A’ja Wilson’s Fourth MVP & Greatness Fatigue (24:34–28:07)

• Historical MVP Win:

  • Roz details A’ja Wilson’s dominant MVP numbers: 51 of 72 first-place votes, back-to-back MVP, and an impressive stat line—23 pts, 10 reb, 2 blks, 3 ast, 1.6 stl; nearly a 50-40-90 shooting season. (24:34)

• Is Dominance Being Overlooked?

  • Angel cautions against “greatness fatigue”:
    “Don’t have greatness fatigue, guys. If a person is great, they’re great… let’s just enjoy the greatness while we have it.” (24:34)
  • Roz marvels at Wilson’s age and résumé, making a case for “the GOAT” status:
    “Four MVPs, three Defensive Player of the Years, two WNBA titles… She’s not even 30… Her game does all the talking.” (24:57)

• Memorable reflections:

  • Roz: “The Aces are crying, you know, because they love this girl so much. I find her to be very approachable, fun, fashionable… She handles her business.” (26:00)
  • Angel shares past teammate insights:
    “She was ready to burst out to be a great leader and… absorbing and learning what greatness was like and now it just exudes…” (27:44)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [04:53] Roz, on possible justification for Brondello's firing:
  “There were multiple times they did not come ready to play… for me, those are smaller things. The bigger message [from Liberty]: first round exit is not the standard. Not with all that talent.”

• [13:19] Angel, challenging the league:
  “Where are my black female head coaches... I just named tons of qualified black woman head coaches who can do some damage… I’m just confused. I don’t have the answer.”

• [16:03] Roz, on supporting Black women coaches:
  “Is she being supported and given the chance to implement her system? Or is she facing opposition? … The bar got changed when Therese in the situation of the [Chicago] Sky.”

• [19:28] Angel, relating to lack of feedback:
  “That reminds me, too, of being a player… If a coach doesn’t tell you what they want from you and they just sit you on the bench, you feel like you’re on your own island... That’s the challenge I’m putting out there.”

• [24:34] Angel, on A’ja Wilson:
  “Don’t have greatness fatigue, guys. If a person is great, they’re great. … let’s just enjoy the greatness while we have it, because you never know how long we have it for.”

Important Timestamps

• [02:21] – Roz introduces Sandy Brondello’s surprising firing
• [04:53] – Dissecting possible reasons for Brondello's dismissal
• [09:15] – Viral Stewie interview clip and response
• [13:19] – The issue of zero Black women head coaches in the WNBA
• [16:03] – Roz’s impassioned discussion of Teresa Weatherspoon’s treatment
• [19:28] – Angel’s emotional takeaway on coaching support
• [24:34] – A’ja Wilson’s MVP win and discussions on greatness fatigue

Tone and Style

The hosts are candid, warm, and passionate—balancing analysis with stories from firsthand experience. The episode is emotionally charged, authentic, and calls for accountability from the league and organizations. Roz and Angel amplify Black women’s voices while celebrating all-time greats and pushing for real change.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode provides a crash course on the recent pivotal changes in the WNBA's coaching landscape, spotlights urgent diversity issues in league leadership, and urges fans not to normalize or undervalue greatness, as exemplified by A’ja Wilson. If you want to understand the state of the W and the stories driving headlines, this conversation is a must-listen.