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Union Today
By the People, for the People
Phoenix Coach Sandy Brondello's Historic 2015 Award Race
Brondello's coaching prowess celebrated as Mercury make deep playoff run
Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:12pm
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Sandy Brondello's historic 2015 Coach of the Year award race is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration, reflecting the dynamic energy and strategic complexity of her leadership of the Phoenix Mercury.Union TodayThe 2015 WNBA season saw the Phoenix Mercury, fresh off their championship win, finish with an impressive 20-14 record. Their head coach, Sandy Brondello, was a key figure in their success, leading them to a 29-5 record and a 16-game winning streak. Brondello's achievements didn't go unnoticed, as she became the first Mercury coach to win the Coach of the Year award, despite the team's previous struggles with consistency.
Why it matters
Brondello's recognition in the Coach of the Year race was notable, as she tied for fourth place with Brian Agler and Pokey Chatman. The Mercury's championship history is a rollercoaster, and Brondello's leadership helped the team bounce back from a disappointing 2014 season to make a deep playoff run.
The details
The Mercury's championship history is a rollercoaster. They won in 2007 but missed the playoffs the following year, failing to repeat. In 2009, they made the playoffs but were knocked out in the second round by the Seattle Storm. The team's performance in 2014 was a step back, as they lost to the Minnesota Lynx in the playoffs, who went on to win the championship. Brondello's recognition in the Coach of the Year race was notable, as she tied for fourth place with Brian Agler and Pokey Chatman, each earning a point. Agler's Los Angeles Sparks had a 14-20 record, while Chatman's Chicago Sky finished with a 21-13 record, an improvement from the previous season's 15-19 record.
- The 2015 WNBA season saw the Phoenix Mercury finish with a 20-14 record.
- The Mercury won the WNBA championship in 2007 but missed the playoffs the following year.
- In 2009, the Mercury made the playoffs but were knocked out in the second round by the Seattle Storm.
- The team's performance in 2014 was a step back, as they lost to the Minnesota Lynx in the playoffs.
The players
Sandy Brondello
The head coach of the Phoenix Mercury, who led the team to a 29-5 record and a 16-game winning streak in the 2015 WNBA season.
Brian Agler
The head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks, whose team had a 14-20 record in the 2015 WNBA season.
Pokey Chatman
The head coach of the Chicago Sky, whose team finished with a 21-13 record in the 2015 WNBA season, an improvement from the previous season's 15-19 record.
Bill Laimbeer
The head coach of the New York Liberty, who won the 2015 Coach of the Year award after guiding the team to a 23-11 record.
Stephanie White
The head coach who came in second in the 2015 Coach of the Year award race with seven points.
The takeaway
The 2015 Coach of the Year award race highlighted the impressive turnaround of the Phoenix Mercury under Sandy Brondello's leadership, despite the team's previous struggles with consistency. Brondello's recognition as the first Mercury coach to win the award underscores her ability to guide the team to success and establish them as a formidable force in the WNBA.
