Liberty fire Chris DeMarco, begin search for third coach in three years

Field Level Media|published: Tue 3rd November, 11:57 2026

Oct 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco on the sideline against the Atlanta Dream in the third quarter during game one of the second round for the 2026 WNBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The New York Liberty will begin the offseason looking for their third coach in three years.

Chris DeMarco was fired Tuesday after one season. He led the Liberty to the Commissioner's Cup championship, a 26-18 record in the regular season and the No. 8 seed in the playoffs, where they swept No. 1 seed Minnesota in the first round.

The team confirmed the move on social media with a farewell message over DeMarco's picture: "Thank you, Coach DeMarco."

DeMarco, 41, was under contract for the 2027 season, as are core players Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones.

After being swept by Atlanta in the WNBA semifinals, DeMarco said he expected to be back. Ionescu said she wasn't in position to determine what might happen.

"I don't know what's going to happen," Ionescu said. "Regardless, thankful for him coaching us this year and giving us a chance, and we just fell short."

DeMarco, a former Golden State Warriors assistant coach in his first WNBA role, replaced Sandy Brondello, who went 27-17 in 2025 and led the franchise to the WNBA title in 2024 and a runner-up finish in 2023.

General manager Jonathan Kolb is hiring his fourth coach since 2019.

--Field Level Media

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