The New York Liberty will begin searching 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 regular-season record and a first-round sweep of No. 8 seed Minnesota in the playoffs.
The team confirmed the move with a farewell message on DeMarco’s photo on social media: “Thank you, Coach DeMarco.”
DeMarco, 41, is under contract through the 2027 season, as are key players Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones.
After being swept by Atlanta in the WNBA semifinals, DeMarco said she expects to bounce back. Ionescu said he was not in a position to determine what might have happened.
“I don’t know what will happen,” Ionescu said. “Regardless, thanks for coaching us and giving us a chance this year and we just fell short.”
In her first WNBA role, DeMarco, a former Golden State Warriors assistant coach, replaces Sandy Brondello, who went 27-17 in 2025 and led the franchise to a WNBA title in 2024 and a runner-up finish in 2023.
General manager Jonathan Kolb hires his fourth coach since 2019.
– Field Level Media