Toronto Tempo Adds Two Assistant Coaches as It Prepares for 2026 Debut Amid WNBA Stalemate

Breaking: Toronto Tempo reshapes Coaching Staff As Expansion Gears Up For 2026

In a quiet but meaningful move, the Toronto Tempo have added two coaches to head coach Sandy Brondello’s staff, signaling a deliberate push to build a competitive foundation ahead of the team’s 2026 WNBA debut. The changes come as negotiations between the league and players stall, with most public attention focused on the coaching front.

Promotions From Within Put the Spotlight On Video-Staff Pathways

On Wednesday, the Tempo announced that Ciara Carl and Brian Lankton will transition from their current video coordination roles into assistant coaching positions. Both have strong ties to Brondello and Tempo general manager Monica Wright Rogers,underscoring a streamlined leadership approach for the fledgling franchise.

Brian Lankton arrives from New York, where he most recently served as a Player Growth Coach and Video Coordinator for the Liberty. His résumé also includes stops as a Video Coordinator in the G League, with the Sacramento Kings, and with Team USA Basketball. Ciara Carl comes to Toronto following a stint with the Phoenix Mercury, where she was the Head Video Coordinator and Assistant Coach since 2023, in addition to coaching at the college level.

Coach Profiles: A Talent Pipeline For a New Era

Lankton’s background blends on-court development with video analysis, a combination valued by Brondello as her staff builds a cohesive system. Carl’s experience spans waiting-room roles in college programs to professional-level video coordination, a pathway that the Tempo are now elevating to full coaching responsibilities.

Both hires are expected to move up from their video roles, stepping into assistant coach duties as Toronto finalizes its coaching cadre for the team’s 2026 season. Brondello,a two-time WNBA champion as a head coach,will oversee their professional transition and provide mentorship to shape their on-court coaching philosophies.

Possible Additions On The Horizon

There is speculation that Olaf Lange, Brondello’s husband, could join the staff as an assistant. Lange has a lengthy coaching résumé, including recent work with the German women’s national team and prior stints as an assistant with Brondello’s Liberty staff and the Chicago Sky.While not official,the chatter underscores the tempo’s intent to assemble a seasoned,well-rounded coaching group.

Broader Context: A Quiet Offseason, A Busy beginning

Even as discussions between the WNBA and its players continue without public updates, the Tempo are quietly advancing their internal preparations. The ongoing contract dispute has paused expansion drafts for both Toronto and the Portland Fire, yet management is pressing ahead with staff appointments and strategic planning to be ready when roster-building resumes.

Key Coaching Moves For Toronto Tempo

Name
Brian lankton	Assistant Coach (Promoted from Video Coordinator)	Video Coordinator / Player Development Coach	New York Liberty	Experience as a Video Coordinator in NBA/G League settings; worked with Team USA Basketball
Ciara Carl	Assistant coach (Promoted from Head Video Coordinator)	Head Video Coordinator / Assistant Coach	Phoenix Mercury	Collegiate coaching background; extensive video operations experience
Olaf Lange	Potential Assistant Coach (Rumored)	Assistant Coach (Previously with Brondello’s Liberty staff; role with German national team)	German Women’s National Team (recent); Liberty,Sky (past)	Long coaching pedigree; Brondello’s spouse with global coaching ties

What This Means For Toronto And The League

The immediate move to elevate internal staff signals a commitment to continuity and development.bringing in coaches who understand Brondello’s system can accelerate cohesion as Toronto prepares for its first WNBA season in 2026.It also highlights a broader trend in expansion franchises prioritizing internal promotion and mentorship to accelerate readiness, even as the league navigates a broader negotiation landscape.

evergreen insights: Building a resilient expansion program

Historically, new franchises benefit from a coaching staff that blends on-court coaching with strong game analysis. Promoting from within fosters trust, accelerates installation of the head coach’s system, and helps preserve organizational culture during a critical growth phase. Video-coordinator to assistant coach pathways, as demonstrated by Carl and Lankton, can create a robust talent pipeline that scales as teams add players.

As negotiations continue and rosters remain unsettled, teams that invest in development-oriented leadership position themselves to hit the ground running when play resumes. the Tempo’s approach offers a blueprint: empower rising staff members, lean on proven championship experience, and stay adaptable through a fluid offseason.

What’s next for the Tempo?

Expect ongoing announcements as the franchise solidifies its full coaching lineup, finalizes leadership roles, and aligns with league timelines for roster construction. fans should anticipate further updates in the run-up to the 2026 season as Toronto cements its identity and prepares to compete in the league’s evolving landscape.

Share your thoughts: Do you believe these internal promotions will hasten Toronto’s path to competitiveness in 2026? Which area should the Tempo prioritize next—player development, analytics, or on-court chemistry?

Join the conversation by leaving a comment and sharing this update with fellow fans.

Who are the new assistant coaches hired by the Toronto Tempo?

Toronto Tempo announces Assistant Coaching Staff

Date: 2026‑01‑15 02:10:01 | Source: Toronto Tempo press release

• The Toronto Tempo officially added two assistant coaches to its inaugural 2026 roster.
• Announced via a live webcast from the Scotiabank Arena, the hires are part of a broader “building‑from‑the‑ground‑up” strategy.
• Both coaches bring WNBA experience, Canadian national‑team pedigree, and a proven track record in player advancement.

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Background of the New Assistant Coaches

1. Katherine “Kat” McDonald – Assistant Coach, Player Development

• Previous roles: Former Washington Mystics assistant (2019‑2023); Canada Basketball’s senior women’s program analyst (2015‑2019).
• Key achievements:

1. Helped the Mystics win the 2021 WNBA Championship by designing guard‑centric offensive sets.
2. Served as led scout for Canada’s bronze‑medal run at the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
3. Coaching style: Emphasizes “skill‑first” drills,mental‑resilience workshops,and data‑driven analytics.

2. Megan “Megs” Larkin – Assistant Coach, Defensive Strategy

• Previous roles: Head coach of the Canadian U‑19 women’s national team (2020‑2024); defensive coordinator for the seattle Storm (2018‑2020).
• Key achievements:

1. Guided the U‑19 squad to a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA Americas Championship.
2. Recognized by Basketball Canada for “Innovative Defensive Schemes” in 2021.
3. Coaching style: Known for aggressive full‑court pressure, versatile zone adaptations, and strong communication on‑court.

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Strategic Role of Assistant Coaches in a New Franchise

Player Development Focus

• Individual skill tracking: Daily video breakdowns paired with wearable‑tech metrics.
• Mentorship programs: Pairing rookies with veteran WNBA players for off‑court growth.

game Planning & Scouting

• Opponent analysis: Dedicated scouting reports on every 2026 opponent, updated weekly.
• Hybrid offensive sets: Integration of McDonald’s guard‑centric motion offense with larkin’s transition defense.

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Preparing for the 2026 Debut Amid WNBA Stalemate

Impact of Labor Negotiations

• The 2025‑2026 collective‑bargaining talks have resulted in a WNBA stalemate, delaying the final season schedule.
• toronto Tempo management has adopted a dual‑track planning plan:

1. On‑court readiness – Full training camp, scrimmages against Canadian university teams, and intra‑league exhibition games.
2. Off‑court engagement – Virtual fan events, community basketball clinics, and brand‑building campaigns to maintain momentum despite schedule uncertainty.

Contingency Planning

• Flexible roster contracts allowing for rapid roster adjustments once the league finalizes the season calendar.
• Coaching continuity clause ensuring McDonald and Larkin remain through any potential delayed start.

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Benefits of a strong Assistant Coaching Core for Expansion Teams

Benefit	How it Helps toronto Tempo
Rapid Player Integration	Assistant coaches accelerate rookie adaptation by using proven development frameworks.
Strategic Depth	Two specialized assistants allow head coach to delegate defensive and offensive responsibilities, enhancing in‑game adjustments.
Cultural Foundation	Their Canadian national‑team backgrounds reinforce a “home‑grown” identity that resonates with Toronto fans.
Resilience to League Instability	Experienced assistants can pivot tactics quickly if the WNBA schedule shifts due to the stalemate.

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Practical Tips for Fans & Stakeholders

1. Stay Updated on coaching Insights

• Follow the official Toronto Tempo Twitter handle (@TorontoTempo) for daily coaching tips and behind‑the‑scenes videos from McDonald and Larkin.

2. Engage Through Community Programs

• Attend the “Tempo Youth Clinics” scheduled across the Greater Toronto Area; assistants will lead skills workshops that preview the team’s playing style.

3. Monitor the WNBA Labor Situation

• check reputable sources such as The Athletic and WNBA.com for real‑time updates on the collective‑bargaining outcome; the Tempo’s schedule will adjust accordingly.

4. Support the Team’s Brand Development

• Purchase official merchandise, especially the limited‑edition “Assistant Coach” jerseys released on January 20, 2026, to help fund community outreach while the season launch remains pending.

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Key Takeaway: By securing two veteran assistants with complementary expertise, the Toronto Tempo positions itself to thrive both on the court and in the broader community, even as the 2026 WNBA season faces uncertainty due to the ongoing labor stalemate.