The New York Liberty have officially appointed Chris DeMarco as their new head coach, following a search that lasted over two months. DeMarco, previously an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, was named the Liberty’s head coach just two weeks after being considered a candidate. The announcement was first reported by the Post on November 18, and DeMarco signed with the Liberty three days later. He is set to be introduced at a press conference on December 10 at Barclays Center.
In a statement, DeMarco expressed his honor at joining the Liberty and his eagerness to work with top players and contribute to the franchise’s strong community ties. A welcome video featuring stars Brianna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Betnija Rainey-Hamilton signaled support for the new coach and reassured fans amid free agency concerns. Stewart emphasized her excitement to compete for a championship in New York’s vibrant basketball environment.
The Liberty parted ways with title-winning head coach Sandy Brondello on September 23 after an uneven 2025 season ending with a first-round playoff loss to the Mercury. DeMarco, 40, brings a winning pedigree with four NBA championships during his 14 years with the Warriors. The Liberty highlighted his experience with the Warriors’ strong defensive metrics and net rating leadership.
Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb praised DeMarco as a proven leader capable of elevating the franchise’s culture, implementing a top-tier system, and bringing a modern vision to the team. He acknowledged DeMarco’s background in a successful basketball dynasty as a vital asset for the Liberty’s aspirations. Owner Clara Wu Tsai also expressed excitement about investing in talent to deliver world-class basketball and fan experiences in Brooklyn.
Meanwhile, the WNBA is still negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement, delaying offseason events like the expansion draft and free agency. Despite these league-wide uncertainties, the Liberty now have a new coach to guide their future.
Fan Take: Chris DeMarco’s hiring marks a significant step for the Liberty as they aim to build a championship-caliber team. For WNBA fans, this move signals the league’s continued growth and commitment to bringing high-level coaching talent to elevate the sport’s competitiveness and visibility.
