Liberty Fire Coach Chris DeMarco After One Season

New York fires its head coach after a 26-18 season that ended in a semifinal sweep by the Atlanta Dream.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball

Empty professional basketball arena court under overhead lights, polished hardwood floor reflecting the glow, rows of vacant seats rising into shadow. — The New York Liberty fired head coach Chris DeMarco on Tuesday after one season, ending a 26-18 year that finished in a semifinal sweep by the Atlanta Dream. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The Liberty fired head coach Chris DeMarco on Tuesday after one season. The team finished 26-18, entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed and was swept in the semifinals by the Atlanta Dream.

Why it matters

The move is the latest in a string of coaching changes for the franchise, which fired Sandy Brondello three days after the 2025 season ended. Jonathan Kolb now begins his fourth coaching search since 2019 for a team in New York.

The Liberty finished 26-18 and reached the playoffs as the No. 8 seed before being swept by Atlanta. The midseason stretch included a 2-8 run, and the source does not detail the replacement timeline.

The players

Chris DeMarco

DeMarco is a longtime NBA assistant coach who spent time with the Warriors before becoming the Liberty's head coach.

Jonathan Kolb

Kolb is the Liberty executive who is leading his fourth coaching search since 2019.

The details

DeMarco, a longtime NBA assistant with the Warriors, had no background in women's basketball before taking the job. The Liberty swept top-seeded Minnesota in the first round and won their second Commissioner's Cup under him, but his inexperience showed in late-game and rotation management, according to the source.

Late April 2026: Kolb said he was willing to be patient after hiring DeMarco.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: The Liberty fired DeMarco after one season.

Season Trajectory

The firing extends a pattern of abrupt coaching changes for the Liberty, following the dismissal of Brondello three days after a championship season ended. The franchise now faces another offseason rebuild while Kolb conducts a fourth search since 2019.

The Liberty must now identify a new head coach to lead the franchise into next season. DeMarco said he expected to return in 2027, though the team has moved on from him.

The takeaway

Coaching turnover has become a defining feature of the Liberty's recent seasons, with two firings in consecutive offseasons. Readers following the franchise should watch for the successor announcement and any broader roster changes.