The New York Liberty confirmed on Tuesday that head coach Chris DeMarco will not return for a second season. The decision follows a 26‑18 regular‑season record and a second‑round playoff sweep by the Atlanta Dream.
Season recap
DeMarco, who came to New York after 14 seasons as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors, guided the Liberty to the No. 8 seed. The team opened the year at 13‑12 and faced numerous injuries to key players. Off‑season acquisition Satou Sabally appeared in only 13 games, while star guard Sabrina Ionescu and forward Leonie Fiebich missed significant time.
Despite those setbacks, the Liberty pulled off an upset over the Minnesota Lynx in the first round of the playoffs. However, the momentum stopped short when the team was swept by the Atlanta Dream in the semifinals. A controversial missed timeout call late in Game 3 of that series added to the disappointment.
Player reactions
After the elimination, several players were asked about DeMarco’s future. Ionescu said, “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m thankful for him coaching us this year and obviously giving us a chance. We just fell short.” Jonquel Jones added, “Our job is to go out there and play good basketball and represent the organization, the fan base, and our families. We focus on that, and it is what it is.”
Next steps
Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb will now begin a second consecutive search for a new head coach. The franchise joins the Los Angeles Sparks, who also announced the firing of Lynne Roberts, in looking for fresh leadership.
DeMarco’s tenure, though brief, included a playoff appearance and an upset victory, but the combination of injuries and the playoff sweep led ownership to seek a new direction. The upcoming coaching search will be closely watched by fans eager for a return to contention.
Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
