After nearly an exhaustive eight-week search, the Liberty have found their next head coach.
The Liberty are finalizing a deal with Warriors assistant and four-time NBA champion Chris DeMarco to succeed Sandy Brondello, The Post confirmed Friday.
DeMarco, 40, will be the franchise’s 10th head coach and the third hired by general manager Jonathan Kolb.
He’ll be stepping into a win-now situation with sky-high expectations – pressure that DeMarco embraces.
DeMarco emerged late in the process as a strong candidate. His championship pedigree, comprehensive knowledge on both ends of the floor and experience as a head coach leading a team in high-stakes moments impressed Kolb – so much so that he decided DeMarco was the right candidate to usher the franchise into a new era of Liberty basketball.
DeMarco, the longest-tenured person on the Warriors’ coaching staff, grinded his way up through the ranks to become Steve Kerr’s right-hand man. He started as a video intern before he was hired full-time in 2012 as a video coordinator. He’s served various roles within the organization, including advanced scout, director of player development and assistant coach, and has been on board for the Warriors’ four titles in the past decade.
DeMarco currently runs the Warriors’ defense, which is ranked in the top 10 in the NBA this season.
For years, DeMarco, of Appleton, Wisc., has not only seen how Stephen Curry operates but also how opposing teams guard him. That knowledge could apply to the Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu in certain ways and perhaps unlock another level to her game.
Assistant Coach Chris DeMarco of the Golden State Warriors looks on during a game. NBAE via Getty Images
DeMarco has served as the head coach of the Bahamian men’s national team since 2019, giving him something of a connection to Liberty center and Bahamas native Jonquel Jones.
Buddy Hield – a close friend of Jones – helped recruit DeMarco to the role after the Warriors coach and NBA wing got to know each other during the 2017 All-Star weekend.
Under DeMarco’s guidance, the Bahamian men’s team, featuring Hield, Eric Gordon and Deandre Ayton, won the 2023 Olympic Pre-Qualifiers in South America. He had them one win away from earning a spot in the Paris 2024 Games – a massive accomplishment for a country that has yet to compete on the Olympic stage in its history.
While DeMarco is billed as a defensive-minded coach, he’s been embedded in various modern offensive systems. The Warriors’ read-and-react offense being the most notable.
But DeMarco also spent part of this past summer with consultant Noah LaRoche, who helped implement a fast-paced offense for the Miami Heat that emphasizes constant off-ball movement, cuts and relocations to frustrate defenses.
His player development background, including his work during the pandemic that led to Jordan Poole’s breakout during the 2021-22 season, also helped his case to ultimately land the Liberty gig.
Warriors assistant coach Chris DeMarco works with Jordan Poole during the 2022 NBA Finals. NBAE via Getty Images
Kolb decided the Liberty needed a fresh voice and new perspective in order to stay at the forefront of the WNBA’s evolution.
Ultimately, he felt DeMarco fits that bill.
Given DeMarco’s lack of WNBA experience, expect the Liberty to pair him with a person – perhaps even a former player – to help him get his bearings in the league, similar to the way Kristi Toliver has served as Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts’ right-hand woman the past two seasons.
Toliver, Raptors assistant coach Jama Mahlalela and former Nets assistant coach Will Weaver were the other finalists for the Liberty job.
