Chris DeMarco, originally from Appleton, has been appointed as the head coach of the New York Liberty in the WNBA, as reported by ESPN. At 40 years old, DeMarco currently serves as an assistant coach for the NBA’s Golden State Warriors and will continue in that role until he officially begins his new position with the Liberty.
DeMarco takes over from Sandy Brondello, who was dismissed after four seasons despite leading the Liberty to back-to-back WNBA Finals appearances and securing the franchise’s first championship in 2024 by defeating the Minnesota Lynx. The Liberty were eliminated in the first round of the 2025 playoffs by the Phoenix Mercury.
Having joined the Warriors’ staff in 2012, DeMarco also serves as head coach of the Bahamas Men’s National Basketball Team since 2019. A 2004 graduate of Xavier High School, he has been part of four NBA championship-winning teams with the Warriors (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022). DeMarco played collegiate basketball at Edgewood College and Dominican University, earning honorable mention NAIA All-American honors. He holds an MBA in Global Management and initially worked in technology before returning to basketball through a video coordinator internship with the Warriors in 2012, a chance he learned about from a former teammate.
DeMarco’s coach aspirations were inspired by his late father Sal, a longtime youth sports coach in Appleton, fueling his passion for the game and competitive spirit. The New York Liberty is among five WNBA teams to appoint new head coaches this offseason.
Fan Take: This hiring is a pivotal moment for the WNBA as it brings NBA coaching experience directly into the league, promising fresh strategies and leadership for the Liberty. DeMarco’s blend of championship pedigree and international coaching experience could elevate the level of competition, exciting fans and contributing to the league’s ongoing growth.
