The New York Liberty have decided not to retain Chris DeMarco as head coach, marking a significant shift for the franchise just three days after the league crowned its 2026 champion. Sources told ESPN on Tuesday that DeMarco will step down, meaning the Liberty will have a new head coach for the third time in as many years. The organization previously parted ways with Sandy Brondello in September 2025, a move made only one season after New York secured its first WNBA title.
General Manager Jonathan Kolb emphasized the high stakes of the hiring process when DeMarco was brought in. He stated that the players deserved the best possible leadership and that the team would take the necessary time to make a bold decision. DeMarco arrived in New York after spending more than a decade on staff with the Golden State Warriors and serving as the head coach of the Bahamas men's basketball team since 2019.
DeMarco's tenure with the Liberty was marked by inconsistency. Although the team won the Commissioner's Cup in late June, they stood at a 13-12 record heading into the All-Star break. The Liberty finished the regular season with a 26-18 record, their lowest win percentage since signing Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones in 2023. This result secured them the eighth and final playoff seed.
In the postseason, the Liberty defeated the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the first round. However, they were swept by the fourth-seeded Atlanta Dream in the semifinals. This outcome marked the second consecutive year the team failed to reach the Finals. DeMarco becomes the first non-interim coach in this specific context to win a playoff series in his first season and still be let go.
Analysts noted that the decision felt inevitable given the team's exit and the lack of public support from the squad's stars for their coach. Breanna Stewart criticized the team's inconsistency, stating that they needed to be ready from the very start of the season. While DeMarco helped reset the offense and the team showed improvement in the second half, their defense remained far from elite even after Leonie Fiebich returned from injury.
A defining moment of DeMarco's time in New York was a blunder involving a reset timeout during the semifinal loss. The Liberty believed they did not have a timeout available in overtime, but officials indicated otherwise. Instead of the coach taking ownership, the players spoke out publicly. Sabrina Ionescu assumed more accountability than DeMarco for the mishap, a move that signaled a disconnect in leadership.
Kolb had previously described the franchise as not being strictly results-based, but rather focused on sustainable innovation. It appears that DeMarco did not meet the organization's expectations for this specific vision. As the Liberty look to fill the vacancy, the search will likely focus on candidates who understand the nuances of the WNBA and can provide immediate stability for a title-minded roster.
Potential candidates include Lindsey Harding, an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers and former No. 1 draft pick. Other possibilities include former NBA assistants like Becky Hammon or Stephanie White of the Indiana Fever. The organization may also look to the college ranks, similar to how the Atlanta Dream hired Karl Smesko. The next coach will need to balance day-to-day performance with long-term strategic innovation.
Beyond coaching, the Liberty have several roster priorities. Key players such as Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Ionescu, Fiebich, and Satou Sabally remain under contract. The team is awaiting updates on Sabally's recovery from a second concussion in a year. Ionescu also faced health challenges this season, placing a heavy burden on Stewart to perform consistently.
The Liberty will also address free agency, with players like Pauline Astier, Marine Johannes, and Han Xu set to become free agents. The front office aims to bolster wing depth and rebuild the supporting cast. Players have stressed the importance of defense and team chemistry, noting that these elements were crucial to their 2024 championship victory.
