From Golden State to Brooklyn: Liberty Hire Chris DeMarco to Lead Championship Pursuit

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The New York Liberty (WNBA) have concluded their high-stakes coaching search, agreeing to terms with Golden State Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco to become their next head coach. The decision to hire the long-time NBA assistant signals a definitive move toward “evolution and innovation,” according to General Manager Jonathan Kolb, as the reigning 2024 WNBA champions look to maximize their championship window.

DeMarco replaces Sandy Brondello, whom the team surprisingly parted ways with in September, just days after the Liberty’s 2025 campaign ended with a disappointing first-round playoff exit—despite a 9-0 start and winning the franchise’s first title the year prior. Brondello has since been hired by the expansion Toronto Tempo.

The Warriors Dynasty Resume

DeMarco brings an extensive and successful coaching pedigree from the NBA, where he has spent 13 years with the Golden State Warriors.

Four Rings: He was an assistant coach during all four of the Warriors’ NBA Championship victories in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022.
Player Development: DeMarco spent a significant amount of time in player development roles and was especially hands-on in the development of stars like Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole.
Defensive Focus: In recent years, DeMarco has managed the Warriors’ defense, bringing a detailed, modern approach to that side of the ball—a key element the Liberty were reportedly seeking.

Beyond his NBA experience, DeMarco has served as the head coach for the Bahamas men’s national basketball team since 2019, adding international experience to his resume and establishing a direct connection with Liberty star Jonquel Jones, who hails from the island nation.

Why the Change? Seeking Sustained Success

The firing of Brondello, who guided the team to a franchise-record 32 wins in both 2023 and 2024, was a polarizing move. Kolb defended the decision by emphasizing the need for freshness and sustainability in an evolving league.

The Liberty, while dominant in the regular season, saw their 2025 season derailed by injuries to key players like Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, which exposed issues with rotation patterns and consistency that Kolb and the front office felt required a new voice. Kolb stated the goal was to keep “pushing the New York Liberty to new heights” and maintain a spot at the top of the league in a sustainable way.

The Immediate Challenge

DeMarco takes over a team facing an uncertain but exciting offseason. Due to the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), nearly the entire Liberty starting core is headed toward free agency, with only Leonie Fiebich and Nyara Sabally currently under contract for 2026.

Superstars Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones have all expressed a desire to return, but DeMarco’s immediate priority will be working with the front office to re-sign this core and sell them on the new direction. The pressure will be immense, as DeMarco has been hired specifically to lead a win-now team back to the WNBA Finals and secure the team’s next title.