New York's newest hire has officially introduced himself, as incoming Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco held his first WNBA press conference on Wednesday — despite plans to remain an assistant with the Golden State Warriors through the end of the year.
"I did just a little bit of research. It was a no-brainer that this is the best opportunity in the WNBA," DeMarco told reporters. "[It's] a good championship franchise and this was what I wanted and that's why I'm here right now."
The 40-year-old comes to Brooklyn via the NBA, having spent 13 years working for Golden State in a variety of roles — and winning four league titles with the team.
With New York parting ways with head coach Sandy Brondello in September, DeMarco's addition indicates the 2024 WNBA champs are prioritizing new ideas over experience with the women's game.
"In my free time, I have, pouring into this, probably ordered every book on the New York Liberty," DeMarco said. "I always watched as a fan, so now I have to shift my focus and watch as a coach… [and] learn about the history of the WNBA."
He also mentioned speaking with Phoenix Mercury boss Nate Tibbetts and GM Nick U'Ren, as both joined the women's league after careers in the NBA.
DeMarco will remain with the Warriors in California through January 1st, 2026, before heading to New York just as offseason movement begins to kick up.
The New York Liberty reportedly landed a boss, with multiple sources linking longtime Golden State Warriors assistant coach Chris DeMarco to the 2024 WNBA champions' head coaching vacancy late last week.
After first joining the Warriors as an intern in 2012, the 40-year-old worked through the Golden State ranks to serve in both an assistant and player development capacity for the NBA side.
Exiting as as front-of-bench assistant, DeMarco aided the team to an impressive four NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) during his tenure.
DeMarco also has experience on the international sideline, leading the Bahama men's national team from June 2019 until August 2025.
Recent WNBA hiring trends have favored NBA vets, with Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Alex Sarama recently named head coach of 2026 expansion side Portland while Seattle tapped former Memphis Grizzlies assistant Sonia Raman as the Storm's new sideline leader.
According to ESPN, additional top candidates for the New York Liberty opening vacated by now-Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello included Toronto Raptors assistant Jama Mahlalela, ex-Brooklyn Nets and current Charlotte Hornets assistant Will Weaver, and former assistant to the NBA's Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks Kristi Toliver, the current associate head coach for the Phoenix Mercury.
As all but two Liberty players enter free agency, New York is aiming to keep stars like Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu on its roster — with the hiring of DeMarco potentially playing game-changer in some of those contract negotiations.
ESPN reported that Bay Area product Ionescu apparently reached out to Golden State Warriors icon Steph Curry to ask about DeMarco as part of the hiring process.