NEW YORK LIBERTY FIRES COACH CHRIS DEMARCO AFTER ONE SEASON

The New York Liberty will not retain Chris DeMarco as head coach after a single season, ESPN's Alexa Philippou reported, citing sources. Philippou wrote on social media that DeMarco "will not be retained as head coach of the New York Liberty, sources told ESPN." DeMarco's only season produced a 26-18 regular-season record and the eighth seed in the playoffs. The Liberty were swept by the Atlanta Dream, led by Angel Reese, in the semifinals. That defeat came after New York became the first team to sweep top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the opening round. DeMarco said after the semifinal exit that he expected to return for a second season as head coach.

Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb had urged patience after hiring DeMarco, a first-time WNBA head coach, ahead of the season. DeMarco had spent more than a decade with the Golden State Warriors as an assistant coach and in player development before taking the Liberty job. The Liberty's roster includes Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, Leonie Fiebich and two-time MVP Breanna Stewart, who won the WNBA championship together two seasons ago. The Liberty will now seek their third head coach in three years.

DeMarco's departure adds to a series of coaching changes across the WNBA this year. The Los Angeles Sparks moved on from Lynne Roberts in September after missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season, ending her two-year tenure with a 37-51 record. The Atlanta Dream reached the WNBA Finals this year. Dream head coach Karl Smesko has also been mentioned among recent departures following that run.