The New York Liberty announced today that Olaf Lange, Roneeka Hodges and Zach O’Brien will serve as assistant coaches on Head Coach Sandy Brondello’s staff. Adam Wolf (Director of Player Care), Joelle Muro (Physical Therapist) and Emily Zaler (Head Strength & Conditioning Coach) have also been named to the Liberty’s player performance staff. Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
“I’m incredibly proud of the staff that we’ve built in New York,” said Liberty Head Coach Sandy Brondello. “Olaf’s track record as a coach and developer, both internationally and in the WNBA, will surely be an asset to our rising young core.” Brondello continued, “Roneeka and Zach are both lifelong students of the game and are poised to take the next step in their coaching careers with the Liberty.”
Regarding player performance staff, General Manager Jonathan Kolb added: “In the WNBA, the New York Liberty are on the cutting-edge of medical and performance care and it’s because of the willingness of our owners to invest in these often underutilized areas. Acquiring and elevating this proficient group best positions our team to develop and excel across all aspects of the game.”
Additionally, former New York Liberty Director of Basketball Operations, Ohemaa Nyanin has been promoted to Assistant General Manager.
“Ohemaa has been instrumental in helping to shape the Liberty culture over the last three seasons,” said Kolb. “She consistently brings a tireless work ethic and passion for not only the game but the entire New York Liberty franchise. Those qualities, along with her resourcefulness and instinct to lead with kindness, will take her very far. I am nothing short of ecstatic to see her continue to grow as she pursues her dream of one day leading a team.”
Lange, a highly decorated 27-year coaching veteran is entering his 15th season in the WNBA. The Berlin, Germany native joins the Liberty after a two-year stint as an assistant coach with the Chicago Sky where he helped guide the franchise to the 2021 WNBA Championship. Lange previously served as an assistant coach and associate head coach with the San Antonio Silver Stars, as well as a consultant for the Phoenix Mercury. Currently, he is also an assistant coach for the Australian Women’s National Basketball team under his wife and Liberty Head Coach, Sandy Brondello.
Hodges, an 11-year WNBA veteran and New Orleans native, joins Brondello’s staff after most recently serving as assistant coach with Colgate University’s women’s basketball team. A former guard, Roneeka brings a wealth of WNBA playing experience to the Liberty having amassed 320 career games between the Houston Comets, Minnesota Lynx, San Antonio Silver Stars, Indiana Fever, Tulsa Shock and Atlanta Dream.
O’Brien, a native of Schenectady, New York, joins the Liberty after serving as player development coach for two seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, where he and Brondello made back-to-back postseason appearances, including the 2021 WNBA Finals. Prior to his time with the Mercury, Zach was a video coordinator with the Northern Arizona Suns of the NBA G-League.
NEW YORK LIBERTY COACHING STAFF
Head Coach:
Sandy Brondello
Assistant Coaches:
Roneeka Hodges
Olaf Lange
Zach O’Brien
Performance Staff:
Terri Acosta (Head Athletic Trainer)
Joelle Muro (Physical Therapist)
Adam Wolf (Director of Player Care)
Emily Zaler (Head Strength & Conditioning Coach)
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