The New York Liberty will not retain head coach Chris De Marco after just one season at the helm, sources confirmed to ESPN. Despite expectations of his return in 2027, the team’s three stars—Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones—did not publicly endorse his continuation. Stewart emphasized the team’s missed championship opportunity and inconsistent performance throughout the season.
The Liberty finished 26-18, securing the No. 8 seed, but were swept by the Atlanta Dream in the semifinals after defeating the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx. De Marco, in his first WNBA head coaching role, faced criticism for in-game decisions, including a controversial timeout mishap in Game 2. General Manager Jonathan Kolb stressed the importance of finding the right fit, stating, “We need to nail this.” The Liberty now seek their third coach in three years.
With Stewart, Jones, and Ionescu under contract through 2028, the team remains in a prime championship window. De Marco’s departure marks the second coaching change this offseason, alongside the Los Angeles Sparks.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing