Liberty Fire Head Coach Chris DeMarco After One Year

The New York Liberty parted ways with head coach Chris DeMarco on Tuesday, ending his one-year tenure just three days after the team won the 2026 WNBA championship. The dismissal marks the franchise's third coaching change in three seasons. Sources told ESPN that DeMarco will step down, forcing the organization to find new leadership for the final time in this recent cycle.

The timeline of instability began in September 2025. The Liberty released Sandy Brondello after the team secured its first title. DeMarco replaced her after serving on staff with the Golden State Warriors for more than a decade. He also coached the Bahamas men's national team since 2019. General Manager Jonathan Kolb said the players deserved strong leadership and that the team would take the necessary time to make a bold decision.

DeMarco's season began with a win in the Commissioner's Cup in late June. The team stood at 13-12 heading into the All-Star break. The Liberty finished the regular season with a 26-18 record. This was their lowest win percentage since Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones joined the roster in 2023. The result gave New York the eighth and final playoff seed.

The postseason results were mixed. The Liberty beat the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the first round. They then lost to the fourth-seeded Atlanta Dream in the semifinals. This was the second straight year the team failed to reach the Finals. DeMarco is the first non-interim coach to win a playoff series in his first season and still be dismissed in this specific context.

The team's exit followed a public disconnect between the coach and the stars. Breanna Stewart criticized the squad's inconsistency, saying they needed to be ready from the start. A defining moment came during the semifinal loss. The Liberty believed they had no timeouts left in overtime, but officials indicated otherwise. DeMarco did not take ownership of the error. Sabrina Ionescu publicly assumed more accountability for the mishap, signaling a leadership gap.

Kolb described the franchise as focused on sustainable innovation rather than strict results. The organization believes DeMarco did not meet this vision. The search for a replacement will likely target candidates with WNBA experience. Potential names include Lindsey Harding of the Los Angeles Lakers, Becky Hammon, and Stephanie White of the Indiana Fever. The team may also look at college coaches like Karl Smesko, who was hired by the Atlanta Dream.

The roster remains largely intact. Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Ionescu, Leonie Fiebich, and Satou Sabally are under contract. The team is waiting for updates on Sabally's recovery from a second concussion in a year. Ionescu also faced health issues this season. The front office will address free agency for Pauline Astier, Marine Johannes, and Han Xu. They aim to bolster wing depth and rebuild the supporting cast.