WNBA Coach of the Year: Top 5 candidates ft. Sandy Brondello (Week 11)

The 2024 WNBA season finally resumed after a month-long break and week 11 saw several teams pick up the pace from where they left. The awards race has been intriguing, from Rookie of the Year candidates to the Coach of the Year competition. With another week down, it also marks progress in the COTY race.

Last year's winner Stephanie White showcased incredible vision and leadership for her Connecticut Sun squad. She has replicated the same level of success this season, which can be said with several coaches who have impressed through their team's production.

---

Top five WNBA COTY candidates

#5; Las Vegas Aces' Becky Hammon

Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon - Source: Getty

Despite going through some early struggles in the season, Hammon managed to find the team's pulse once again to power through. The team finished 6-2 in July before the Olympic break.

The results have been substantial enough to steer some momentum in their quest for a championship three-peat.

#4; Seattle Storm's Noelle Quinn

Seattle Storm coach Noelle Quinn - Source: Getty

Noelle Quinn has done an incredible job with the Seattle Storm. The ball club sits in fifth place (17-10 record) in league standings. Aside from Nneka Ogwumike, Jewell Loyd and Skylar Diggins-Smith's stable contributions, Quinn has instilled an imposing defensive identity into the team.

They rank fourth defensively (94.8) in the WNBA with how they have successfully utilized the right defensive matchups that yield the best results on the floor.

#3; Minnesota Lynx's Cheryl Reeve

Minnesota Lynx's coach Cheryl Reeve - Source: Imagn

Fresh off leading Team USA to another gold medal finish in women's basketball competition, Cheryl Reeve stands tall as one of the top candidates for the WNBA COTY award. The renowned coach has showcased her brilliance for the game of basketball once again this season, which comes as no surprise to anyone.

The Minnesota Lynx boast the best defense in the league at a 93.4 rating which has brought headaches to several teams this season.

#2; Connecticut Sun's Stephanie White

Connecticut Sun's Stephanie White - Source: Getty

Stephanie White has not missed any step with her Connecticut Sun squad being in second place (19-7 record) in the WNBA standings. With a prominent third-rank defense (94.8) and their offense ranking fourth (103.0) around the league, they have established themselves as one of the most complete teams.

They originally started the season 9-0 as they rolled past several teams in their path without breaking any sweat in the process. White's Sun has continued the momentum to remain a powerhouse in the league.

#1; New York Liberty's Sandy Brondello

New York Liberty's Sandy Brondello - Source: Getty

Number one spot on the list goes to Sandy Brondello for the work she has done with this year's New York Liberty squad. They have come back stronger and more cohesive in their game-to-game execution after last year's disappointing WNBA Finals loss to the Las Vegas Aces.

The unit is in first place in league standings, with a number one-ranked offense (107.8) and a second-ranked defense (94.7).