The New York Liberty fired head coach Chris DeMarco on Tuesday after one season, beginning a search for the franchise's third coach in three years.
DeMarco led New York to a 26-18 regular-season record, the Commissioner's Cup title and the eighth seed in the WNBA playoffs. The Liberty then swept top-seeded Minnesota in the first round before Atlanta eliminated them in the semifinals.
The move came despite DeMarco having a contract for the 2027 season. New York confirmed the decision in a social-media farewell message.
The Liberty entered the season with championship expectations built around Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. All three core players remain under contract for next season.
DeMarco joined New York after more than a decade as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors. The 2026 season was his first as a WNBA head coach.
After the playoff loss to Atlanta, DeMarco said he expected to return. Ionescu said at the time that the coaching decision was not in the players' control and expressed appreciation for his work during the season.
General manager Jonathan Kolb will now lead another coaching search. New York did not retain Sandy Brondello after the 2025 season, one year after Brondello guided the Liberty to the franchise's first WNBA championship. The next hire will be Kolb's fourth head-coaching selection since 2019.
The change leaves one of the league's most accomplished rosters without a coach heading into the offseason. New York did not immediately announce a timetable or candidates for the vacancy.
Sources: - New York Liberty, team announcement, Nov. 3, 2026 - Reuters, New York Liberty coaching report, Nov. 3, 2026 - Associated Press, New York Liberty coaching report, Nov. 3, 2026