New York Liberty Make Stunning Coaching Decision After One Season

The New York Liberty have decided to part ways with their head coach Chris DeMarco following their 2026 season, just one year after securing their first WNBA title. ESPN s Alexa Philippou confirmed the news. This marks the team’s third coaching change in the past three seasons. DeMarco will depart the franchise after guiding the Liberty to a 26-18 record during the regular season before being eliminated in the semifinals by the Atlanta Dream.

Despite reaching the playoffs as the eighth seed, the Liberty’s playoff run ended abruptly. During his tenure, DeMarco, who spent 14 seasons with the Golden State Warriors, including 11 as an assistant coach, was expected to bring a wealth of experience and a track record of success. However, his first season with the Liberty was marked by inconsistency and injuries to key players such as Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally.

Post-playoff elimination, there were questions about DeMarco’s future, especially as several of the team’s star players did not publicly back his return. A source close to the team noted that while Ionescu expressed gratitude for DeMarco’s leadership this season, the team remains uncertain about the next move. With new stars like Breanna Stewart, Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones, New York is aiming to return to championship contention.

The franchise, which reached consecutive WNBA Finals in 2023 and 2024, now faces the challenge of finding a new coach who can bolster consistency and elevate their talented roster.