Liberty part ways with coach Chris DeMarco

The New York Liberty have decided not to retain head coach Chris DeMarco following his first season with the team. The decision comes after the Liberty failed to advance past the semifinals in the 2025 WNBA playoffs.

DeMarco guided the team to an eighth-seed playoff berth, where they defeated the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the first round. However, they were swept by the Atlanta Dream in the semifinals, marking another early exit for the 2024 WNBA champions.

This marks the third head coaching change in three seasons for the Liberty, following the departure of previous head coach Sandy Brondello after the 2025 playoffs. DeMarco, a former Golden State Warriors assistant, had no prior head-coaching experience and limited familiarity with the WNBA or the Liberty franchise.

DeMarco's inexperience was highlighted during the semifinals, when he failed to call a reset timeout with 4.3 seconds left in Game 2 against the Dream. After the loss, DeMarco took little responsibility, stating that player Breanna Stewart's account of the situation was correct.

Players such as Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones expressed that the coaching decision was not their responsibility, emphasizing their focus on performance. Breanna Stewart remained noncommittal, noting the team's inconsistency throughout the season.

The Liberty's coaching vacancy is considered the most desirable in the league, given the team's strong roster and ownership. The franchise, owned by Clara Wu and Joseph Tsai, includes a proven general manager, Jonathan Kolb, and key players under contract for the next two seasons.

Despite challenges like Satou Sabally's health concerns, the Liberty possess a championship-contending roster, including All-Star players like Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. The team also won the Commissioner's Cup in 2025, further solidifying its appeal to potential coaches.