Apex Scores Lite Apex Scores Lite flag
back Back
New York Liberty coach fired after underwhelming first year
Minnesota Lynx v New York Liberty - Game Two Getty Images
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Chris DeMarco of the New York Liberty looks on in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Lynx during game two of the WNBA Playoffs first round at Barclays Center on September 29, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The New York Liberty won 87-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)

The New York Liberty will not retain head coach Chris DeMarco, ESPN’s Alexa Phillippou reported on Tuesday. DeMarco, hired last year after a long tenure as a Golden State Warriors assistant coach, becomes the second consecutive Liberty head coach to be fired, after Sandy Brondello was let go last offseason (Brondello was later hired as the Toronto Tempo’s first-ever coach).

The Liberty went 26-18 under DeMarco and got swept by the Atlanta Dream in the second round of the playoffs. They started the year 13-12 and dealt with injuries to key players throughout the season. Offseason acquisition Satou Sabally played just 13 games, while Sabrina Ionescu and Leonie Fiebich both missed significant time.

As the No. 8 seed, the Liberty upset the Minnesota Lynx in the first round of the playoffs. But that wasn’t enough to salvage DeMarco’s underwhelming first season as coach, which culminated in him and his staff controversially failing to call a necessary timeout late in Game 3 of the Semi-Finals.

After the team’s elimination, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Ionescu were all asked about DeMarco’s future, and none definitively vouched for him.

“I mean, I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Ionescu said. “Regardless, thankful for him coaching us this year and obviously giving us a chance. And we just fell short.”

“That’s not our say,” Jones said. “Our job is to go out there and play good basketball and represent the organization well, represent the fan base well, and our families. And I think we do a good job of focusing on that. And it is what it is.”

Before becoming New York’s head coach, DeMarco served as an assistant coach with the Warriors for 14 seasons.

Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb will now begin the team’s second consecutive offseason coaching search.

The Los Angeles Sparks are also seeking a new head coach after firing Lynne Roberts.

You may like

15 Best Trades in NBA History (Ranked)

givemesport.com 45 minutes ago

15 Most Clutch Players in NBA History (Ranked)

givemesport.com 25 minutes ago

NBA Bracketology: Projecting the full 20-team postseason field as Knicks, Thunder take steps back

cbssports.com 1 hour ago

Starting 5: Monday's packed 15-game slate ahead of Election Day

nba.com 1 hour ago

Mario Hezonja Came Alive After Halftime—and Nearly Flipped the Game for Cleveland

si.com 1 hour ago

Isaiah Collier's Role Shifts After Utah Jazz Decline Contract Option

si.com 1 hour ago

LSU Basketball Begins a Season With Plenty Still to Prove

si.com 2 hours ago

NBA Week 2 Rookie Report: 8 Rookies to Collect

si.com 2 hours ago

Is Amen Thompson's Perimeter Shooting a Concern for the Rockets?

si.com 51 minutes ago

Thunder sign Dalen Terry out of G League to provide depth at forward

nbcsports.com 33 minutes ago