Sports · Basketball · 9 hrs ago
New York Liberty Will Not Retain Coach Chris DeMarco
The New York Liberty will not retain Chris DeMarco as head coach after one season.
New York finished eighth in the regular season, then swept the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the first playoff round.
The Liberty were swept by the Atlanta Dream in the semifinals, ending a season that fell short of the team’s championship expectations.
The team won its first WNBA title in 2024, but lost in the first round in 2025 and then parted ways with coach Sandy Brondello.
DeMarco, who came to New York after more than a decade with the Golden State Warriors, faced criticism after a late-game timeout mistake in the semifinal series.
The Liberty are seeking their third coach in three years, and the only other WNBA head-coaching vacancy cited is with the Los Angeles Sparks.
The New York Liberty will not retain head coach Chris DeMarco after one season.
The team reached the playoffs as the eighth and final seed, swept the Minnesota Lynx in the first round and then lost 3-0 to the Atlanta Dream in the semifinals.
DeMarco had said he expected to return in 2027 after the Liberty's playoff elimination.
The Liberty will be looking for their third coach in three years.
The Los Angeles Sparks are also seeking a head coach this offseason.
- Who
- The New York Liberty will not retain head coach Chris DeMarco.
- What
- DeMarco is leaving after one season, and the Liberty are seeking a new coach.
- When
- The decision was reported on Nov. 3, 2026.
- Where
- New York, whose team plays in Brooklyn.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Liberty moved on from Sandy Brondello after a first-round playoff exit.
New York finished 26-18 and secured the eighth and final playoff seed.
The Liberty swept the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx.
The Atlanta Dream swept New York, 3-0.
Reports said the Liberty would not retain DeMarco.
- DeMarco's tenure
- One season
- Liberty regular-season record
- 26-18
- Playoff seed
- No. 8, the final seed
- First-round opponent
- Minnesota Lynx; swept by New York
- Semifinal opponent
- Atlanta Dream; swept New York 3-0
- Other coaching vacancy
- Los Angeles Sparks
5 sources
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What people are saying
I don't think we were consistent throughout the season.
not our decision
That's not our say. our job is to go out there and play good basketball.
Posts on X
Thank you, Coach DeMarco.