DeMarco Eager to Lead New York Liberty After Warriors Stint.

NEW YORK – Chris DeMarco expressed enthusiasm about taking over as head coach of the New York Liberty, though he will officially assume the role on January 1, 2026. Until then, he will continue serving as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors. DeMarco described the Liberty position as an “obvious choice” among WNBA coaching opportunities. He noted that the franchise’s strong reputation and his personal interest made the decision straightforward. Ironically, his final game with the Warriors will be in Brooklyn against the Nets, just before the new year. Having spent 13 years with Golden State in roles ranging from player development coach to assistant, DeMarco contributed to four NBA championships. He has also invested significant personal time studying the Liberty’s history, aiming to shift from a fan’s perspective to a coach’s approach. DeMarco was formally introduced alongside Liberty players Sabrina Ionescu, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Isabelle Harrison, and Nyara Sabally. He inherits a talented roster that includes Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, both pending free-agent status. General Manager Jonathan Kolb expressed confidence that the team’s top players will return once a new collective bargaining agreement is finalized.

Joining the ranks of WNBA coaches with NBA backgrounds, DeMarco follows in the footsteps of Alex Sarama (Portland) and Sonia Raman (Seattle). He has also served as head coach of the Bahamian men’s national team since 2019. Kolb praised DeMarco’s combination of tactical insight, emotional intelligence, and strong work ethic, noting that these qualities align well with the Liberty roster.