After a missed championship dream this season, the New York Liberty are firing all cylinders ahead of the 2026 WNBA season.
New York recently agreed to terms with Golden State Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco to become their new head coach.
The deal was finalized on Friday between Liberty officials and DeMarco’s agent Brian Elfus. This comes just weeks after the Liberty parted ways with Sandy Brondello following a first-round playoff exit in 2025.
New York Liberty Land Chris DeMarco For Head Coaching Role
The Liberty’s search for Brondello’s replacement spanned nearly two months and zeroed in on candidates with NBA pedigrees, something that even Becky Hammon questioned.
Though it was the general manager, Jonathan Kolb, who set priority after the team’s 2024 championship, DeMarco emerged as the top choice over a couple of worthy finalists.
The list included former Brooklyn Nets assistant Will Weaver, Phoenix Mercury associate head coach Kristi Toliver, and Toronto Raptors assistant Jama Mahlalela. Just like every time, ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news first, with an AP source confirming the agreement later Friday.
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
The New York Liberty have agreed on a deal to hire Golden State Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco as their new head coach, sources tell ESPN. DeMarco has been with the Warriors since 2012, winning four NBA titles. He also serves as head coach of the Bahamian men's national team. pic.twitter.com/GsQC66f6iV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 21, 2025
It’s unclear if DeMarco will wrap up the Warriors’ 2025-26 NBA season before heading east, but his arrival marks the third NBA assistant tapped for a WNBA head gig this offseason, joining Alex Sarrama in Portland and Sonia Raman in Seattle.
However, DeMarco joined the Warriors in 2012 as a video coordinator under Mark Jackson, the only holdover when Steve Kerr took over in 2014. Over the years, he’s worn multiple hats.
He was the player development coach, assistant, and lead on the team’s defense for the last two seasons and went on to contribute to titles in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022.
This year alone, the Golden State ranks fifth in defensive rating through a 9-8 start.
Is Chris DeMarco A Good Decision For The New York Liberty?
DeMarco’s defensive expertise makes him a smart match for a Liberty squad that slipped from third to sixth in defensive rating between 2024 and 2025.
Though this was a drop that contributed to their playoff flameout despite a 9-0 start last season, injuries to key players only exposed rebounding and transition weaknesses, areas where his Warriors blueprint.
Analysts point to parallels between Breanna Stewart’s versatility and Draymond Green, suggesting DeMarco might adapt Golden State’s motion offense to unlock more from Ionescu’s off-ball movement and Jones’ post threats.
His championship DNA stands out in a league where contenders like New York can’t afford missteps. DeMarco worked hands-on with shooters like Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole, honing their efficiency under pressure, which could elevate Ionescu’s three-point volume.