Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts didn’t receive a warm welcome from the public when he was hired two years ago this month.

Text with Madeline Kenney as she follows the Liberty — she’s sharing behind-the-scenes info and insights with Sports+ subscribers.

General manager Nick U’Ren’s decision to appoint Tibbetts, a man who had no experience coaching in the women’s game, was met with harsh criticism.

Not only were people upset by his lack of affiliation with women’s basketball, but others voiced diversity concerns.

But two years later, Tibbetts has muted the scrutiny and coached the Mercury back into the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2021.