Friday, November 21, 2025 7:23PM
Stream local breaking news and original programming, live 24/7, from ABC7 Bay Area.
The New York Liberty has named Golden State Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco their new head coach. DeMarco is the third coach with NBA ties to be hired as a WNBA head coach this offseason.
DeMarco spent the past 13 years with the Warriors, where he was part of four NBA championships. Initially a member of Mark Jackson's staff -- hired in 2012 as a video coordinator -- DeMarco was the only coach Steve Kerr retained when he took over Golden State in 2015.
For the past several seasons, DeMarco has primarily been in charge of the Warriors' defense while also working individually with players such as Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole.
He's also the head coach of the men's Bahamian national team. Liberty forward Jonquel Jones is a member of the women's Bahamian national team.
How DeMarco fits with the Liberty
---------------------------------
DeMarco can utilize his experience with Golden State's long-running stars in New York. Like Stephen Curry's one-time 3-point shootout opponent, Sabrina Ionescu brings deep range and the ability to run pick-and-roll or be dangerous spotting up without the ball. Ionescu will be looking to bounce back after shooting a career-low 30% beyond the arc last season.
Meanwhile, Breanna Stewart's playmaking and defensive versatility bring parallels to former Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green. But the Warriors have never had a post-up threat like Jones, giving DeMarco a more threatening option if he imports the split cuts that have been a hallmark of Kerr's offense. -- Kevin Pelton
The Liberty announced they weren't renewing Brondello's contract. She's out after four seasons, exiting a year after leading New York to the 2024 WNBA title. The Liberty went 27-17 this season and were the No. 5 seed in the playoffs.
In a statement, Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb said, "Sandy finishes her tenure in New York as the winningest coach in franchise history, and she took us to never-before-seen heights as the first head coach to lead the Liberty to a championship. We wish Sandy the very best in her next chapter."
Brondello, 57, was hired to coach the Liberty in December 2021 and went 107-53 in four seasons. Prior to New York, Brondello coached the Phoenix Mercury from 2014-2021, winning her first WNBA championship in 20214. She had a 150-108 record in eight seasons with Phoenix, making the playoffs every year.
Brondello also has coached the Australian Olympic team and played in the WNBA from 1998-2003.