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Sandy Brondello tapped to coach Australian National Team

By Mike Peden

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 2: Head coach Sandy Brondello of the Phoenix Mercury speaks at a post game press conference after the game against the Minnesota Lynx in Game Three of the Semifinals during the 2016 WNBA Playoffs on October 2, 2016 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 2: Head coach Sandy Brondello of the Phoenix Mercury speaks at a post game press conference after the game against the Minnesota Lynx in Game Three of the Semifinals during the 2016 WNBA Playoffs on October 2, 2016 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Between the Phoenix Mercury and her overseas commitments, Sandy Brondello maintains an active coaching schedule. Her itinerary is about to ramp up even more.

On Monday, Basketball Australia announced that Brondello will be head coach of the Australian National Team for the upcoming international cycle. The assignment includes the 2019 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup and the 2020 Olympic Games.

“After 18 years playing for the Opals, I am humbled and excited about the opportunity to be back with the program and look forward to helping to build the team for success in Tokyo,” Brondello said in a statement released by the Mercury.

Brondello’s history with the Opals is a decorated one. Joining the national team in 1988, Brondello won two silver medals and a bronze medal in Olympic competition. She also won two bronze medals in the Women’s World Cup.

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 17: Sandy Brondello of the Phoenix Mercury is seen against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 17, 2016 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 17: Sandy Brondello of the Phoenix Mercury is seen against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 17, 2016 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Stateside, Brondello is better known for her WNBA contributions. Long-time fans may remember her playing career, highlighted by an appearance in the inaugural All-Star Game from 1999, but she has forged a respectable identity as a coach. She holds the record for most wins in a season, guiding Phoenix to a 29-5 mark in 2014 en route to a WNBA championship. Brondello, 48, signed a contract extension with the Mercury last fall.

A telling accolade for Brondello is her ability to navigate rough terrain. She brought Phoenix to the Western Conference Finals in 2015 without Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor. Last year, Brondello and the Mercury took advantage of the league’s new playoff format to reach the semifinal round.

The challenge for Brondello is parlaying her work from Phoenix to an Opals team in need of a boost. Australia finished a disappointing fifth in last year’s Olympic tournament, failing to medal for the first time since 1992. With Lauren Jackson and Taylor no longer active, finding leadership to rekindle their form will be a paramount objective for Brondello.

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