(WFRV) – An Appleton native is making national sports headlines as the newest head coach of the Women’s National Basketball Association’s (WNBA) New York Liberty.
Chris DeMarco, who has been an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors since 2012, is reportedly set to become the next head coach of the Liberty, according to ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania.
DeMarco is also the head coach of the Bahamas’ men’s national basketball team, and is a four-time NBA Finals winner with the Warriors as an assistant:
- 2015
- 2017
- 2018
- 2022
In the new role, he’ll be tasked with coaching a Liberty team that is just one year removed from winning the WNBA title. The Liberty started 9-0 in 2025, but injuries crushed them en route to a first-round playoff elimination and just two players are under contract for 2026.
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But superstars Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones reportedly do want to return, which would certainly ease the pressure on the 40-year-old coach.
According to the Warriors’ ESPN reporter, Anthony Slater, he will depart for the role sometime during the ongoing NBA season, but at least for Friday night and the near future, he will continue serving on the Warriors’ bench.
