The New York Liberty, fresh off a season that went from a title defense parade to a first-round faceplant, has made its “bold decision.” After a nearly two-month search that felt longer than a quadruple-overtime game, they’ve landed on Chris DeMarco, a longtime Golden State Warriors assistant, to take the helm.
Let’s be real, firing a coach who won you a championship just a year prior is a gutsy move. It is the kind of decision that either makes you look like a genius or gets you laughed out of the league. Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb knew it, saying back in September, “We need to nail this.” Will DeMarco live up to it?
Who Is Chris DeMarco?
For the last decade, DeMarco has been soaking up the championship champagne with the Warriors. He’s a holdover from the Mark Jackson era, which in NBA years makes him practically ancient. He survived the transition to Steve Kerr and became a key piece of the dynasty, helping them snag four rings. He’s been credited with managing the defense and working closely with sharpshooters like Klay Thompson. DeMarco knows what a winning culture looks like from the inside.
This isn’t his first time in the big chair, either. Since 2019, he’s been the head coach for the Bahamian men’s national team, leading them against top-tier international talent. So, while he’s new to the WNBA, he’s not exactly a rookie when it comes to drawing up plays.
A Gamble On a New Direction
The Liberty’s 2025 season was a rollercoaster of emotions. They shot out of a cannon with a 9-0 start, looking every bit the part of a repeat champion. Then, the injury bug bit. Hard. Losing superstars like Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart for significant time derailed their momentum, and they limped into the playoffs only to be bounced in the first round.
This abrupt ending led to the shocking dismissal of Sandy Brondello, who promptly landed a multi-million dollar gig coaching the new expansion team in Toronto. Kolb defended the move, talking about “evolution and innovation.” Hiring an NBA lifer like DeMarco certainly fits that bill. It is a clear signal that the Liberty are looking to inject some of that fast-paced, modern NBA style into their game.
What’s Next For the Liberty?
The biggest question now is what the roster will even look like. With a new collective bargaining agreement on the horizon, nearly the entire team, including the star trio of Stewart, Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu, are free agents. While Kolb has expressed “utmost confidence” that they’ll all be back in Brooklyn, confidence doesn’t sign contracts.
DeMarco’s hiring is the first major piece of the Liberty’s offseason puzzle. He brings a championship pedigree and a fresh perspective from one of the most successful organizations in modern sports. Now, the pressure is on to build a team around that vision. The Liberty made their big swing; now we wait to see if it’s a home run or a strikeout.
