Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco is preparing for a homecoming as his team prepares to play in San Francisco on Sunday. DeMarco spent the previous 14 years with the Golden State Warriors, progressing from the film room to an assistant coach position on Steve Kerr's staff, during which he earned four NBA Finals rings.
DeMarco, who has led the Bahamian men's national team since 2019, had long expressed a desire to head his own team. The Liberty job became available during the WNBA offseason, and General Manager Jonathan Kolb sought candidates with NBA experience. DeMarco was ultimately hired, and since taking the helm, he has adjusted the Liberty's playing style. Through the first seven weeks of the season, the team ranks seventh in offense and fifth in defense.
He anticipates a unique experience returning to the Chase Center, which served as his office since its opening in 2019. "That’s probably gonna be a little bit weird being in there," DeMarco told The Post. "But yes … obviously know [Chase Center] well. I’m excited to really see a lot of people from the Warriors organization, people I coached with, people I coached, other people in the building. So it’s gonna be fun, even pulling up and seeing everybody at the door."
Liberty assistant coach Will Sheehey will also experience a reunion, having joined the Warriors in August 2021 as an assistant video coordinator. He was subsequently promoted to player development analyst and later to assistant director of player development before leaving for Denmark's Bakken Bears and subsequently accepting the Liberty position.
DeMarco has attended Golden State Valkyries games, indicating his familiarity with the enthusiastic home crowd environment. "When it’s [the NBA’s] offseason, to be able to still go to Chase and get some action, watch great basketball," DeMarco said, "yeah, I had a lot of fun as a fan."