The New York Liberty have appointed Chris DeMarco, a longtime assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, as their new head coach. ESPN first announced the news on Friday afternoon, and several sources, including The Athletic, have confirmed the hiring. DeMarco has been with the Warriors since 2012 and has served as head coach of the men’s national team since 2019. He played a crucial role in the team’s defense and was part of four championship-winning squads.
During the recruitment, Sabrina Ionescu consulted with her close friend Stephen Curry about her experience playing under DeMarco for over ten years. Initially, DeMarco will continue coaching with the Warriors while transitioning to his role as Liberty head coach.
With this hire, all five WNBA head coaching vacancies have now been filled. Notably, the Portland Fire and Seattle Storm also appointed NBA-affiliated coaches Alex Salama and Sonia Raman, respectively. The Dallas Wings chose former USF coach Jose Fernandez, and the Toronto Tempo rehired Sandy Brondello, whose contract with the Liberty wasn’t renewed.
This hiring trend shows WNBA teams increasingly selecting coaches with NBA experience. Salama worked as an assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Raman brings years from the Memphis Grizzlies, and Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts previously assisted with the Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, and Orlando Magic. While the Wings picked a strong college coach, the Tempo opted for a seasoned WNBA veteran.
Among the league’s 16 head coaches, there are currently nine men and seven women. Both Salama and DeMarco took on WNBA roles despite limited experience coaching women. It remains to be seen if this pattern will continue.
Fan Take: This coaching shake-up highlights the growing crossover between the NBA and WNBA, signaling increased respect and investment in the women’s game. For fans, it means fresh strategies and perhaps a new level of competitiveness that could elevate the WNBA’s profile even further.
