The Golden State Warriors have been one of the most successful NBA franchises over the past decade. Starting with their first title over the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015, they won four titles in a nine-year period. A dynasty, if you will. The winning seemed to come naturally, and they have not slowed down.
Steve Kerr has had a number of his assistants go on to become NBA head coaches. And now, his coaching tree is about to get just a little deeper.
Chris DeMarco, serving in a variety of roles since joining the Dubs in 2012, is being named the next Head Coach of the WNBA‘s New York Liberty (per Shams Charania).
Time to get to know the new WNBA head coach.
Chris DeMarco Ready for the Challenge of Coaching in WNBA
As Chris DeMarco will now prepare for his first professional head coaching role with the WNBA, it’s interesting to note he is not the first NBA assistant to get the call to become a head coach in the past few months.
Alex Sarama, a 30-year old assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers, accepted a role to become the man in charge of the Portland Fire. He’s coached all over the globe, and appears ready to lead.
Getting back to DeMarco, he’s spent the past 14 years with the Warriors. Starting out as a video coordinator in 2012, he worked his way up to full-time assistant coach ahead of the 2022-23 season. He has has a spot on Steve Kerr’s bench for the past four campaigns now.
DeMarco also currently serves as the head coach of the Men’s National Basketball team for the Bahamas. He helped them make history, very nearly lifting them to their first Olympics berth last summer. An 82-75 victory over Argentina put them on the precipice, before an untimely defeat to Spain ruined their chances.
This is the kind of coach a team looks for. Somebody with experience across the board. DeMarco, who served in a variety of roles in the years between being a video coordinator and full-time assistant was grinding nonstop. Who nearly took the Bahamian team where nobody has taken them before.
The Liberty won the championship just two years ago. But, a first-round exist at the hands of the Phoenix Mercury last season led to the team firing Sandy Brondello, and opting to look outside.
The pressure to win will be there from day one, especially in such a big market.
Next Steps for New York Liberty under Chris DeMarco
As Chris DeMarco puts Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and the Warriors in the rearview, there may be some big changes with the Liberty in the meantime.
The majority of their roster is currently slated for free agency. With only two players currently under contract for 2026, a lot of moves are going to have to happen. Among the unsigned players are Sabrina Ionescu, future-HOFer Breanna Stewart, and another former MVP in Jonquel Jones.
Once they fill the roster, it is on DeMarco to instill his philosophies. Coaches have been regularly being fired after one season in the WNBA in recent years, so there is in fact instant pressure to have success in the league in its current form.
The team needs to try and lock their stars into new long-term deals. Then, get back on the horse and go try and unseat the Las Vegas Aces, who found themselves back on top.
Wishing the best of luck to Chris DeMarco in his new endeavor. Yet another Warriors alum to find a head coaching job.
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