Chris DeMarco felt a wave of excitement when he arrived at the Barclays Center on Tuesday morning.
His image appeared on an LED screen outside the arena—his new workplace—with a welcoming message that read: “Welcome to New York head coach Chris DeMarco.”
“It was surreal,” DeMarco remarked on Wednesday. “Growing up on Long Island, New York has always felt like home to me. Joining this great organization is truly a dream come true.”
The Liberty wrapped up a two-month search for a head coach last month by hiring DeMarco, who has a rich background as a longtime assistant with the Warriors and has also coached the Bahamas men’s national team in preparation for the upcoming Paris Games.
DeMarco embodies the qualities that general manager Jonathan Kolb and his team were eager to find in their new coach. He possesses top-tier tactical confidence, a well-defined leadership style, an insatiable curiosity about the game, and a deep understanding of what it takes to build a dynasty.
He has proven he can deliver and is looking forward to the challenges ahead.
“If you’re competitive in any sport, this is where you want to be. You want to be with the best players and be in the best situation to win,” DeMarco said. “If that’s not you, then maybe this isn’t the right field.”
The Liberty, fresh off winning their first WNBA title, are determined not to be a one-hit wonder; they aim for lasting success.
So, bringing in someone with experience from one of modern basketball’s great dynasties seems fitting.
DeMarco helped secure all four Larry O’Brien trophies while with the Warriors.
Over the last 14 years, he was part of the Warriors’ coaching staff, starting as a video coordinator and scout before becoming the director of player development and then an assistant coach.
This season, he’ll be taking on a new role as an assistant coach focused on defense, working under Steve Kerr, for a team that ranked among the top three in the NBA.
In total, DeMarco has been involved in 171 playoff games and participated in six NBA Finals.
While he doesn’t have a track record in women’s basketball—he admits he viewed the WNBA mostly as a fan—he’s ready to make his mark in the league.
DeMarco began contemplating this head coaching role following a successful stint with the Bahamas team that narrowly missed qualifying for the Olympics.
“When this opportunity presented itself, I did some research and it was a clear decision,” he said. “This is a fantastic opportunity for the WNBA.”
He spoke with several individuals, including Mercury’s GM Nick Ulen and coach Nate Tibbetts, to make the transition from NBA to WNBA smoother.
While he technically remains with the Warriors until the year ends—his last game being on December 29 against his former team—he has been dedicating his free time to studying WNBA film and even purchasing every book he can find on the Liberty.
DeMarco believes the Liberty roster has a solid foundation. Key free agents, including Brianna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, are expected to return, alongside contracts for Nyara Sabally and Leoni Fievic, plus rights to other players like Betoniya Rainey-Hamilton and Marin Johannes—all contributors to last year’s championship team. Winning is tough, and he has lofty aspirations.
“Heading into 2026, we definitely aim for another championship,” he stated. “That’s always our goal. It’s about developing talent, fostering the right culture, and being competitive in every game.”
This moment feels like a full-circle for DeMarco, who lived in Long Island until he was a freshman before moving to Appleton, Wisconsin.
His late father, Sal, was a New Yorker, known for his distinct accent and summer visits to Jones Beach. DeMarco recalls that his father had earned a reputation as an intense coach in a small Midwestern town.
“I’ve always felt a connection to this city,” he mentioned. “I want to be in a place where we can win, backed by committed ownership and management.”
“This is just an exciting opportunity.”
