The search for the New York Liberty's next head coach is officially underway following the team's decision to part ways with Chris DeMarco after just one year. This marks the second consecutive year the Liberty have undergone a lengthy coaching search process.
Last year, Mercury associate head coach Kristi Toliver, former Nets assistant Will Weaver, and Raptors assistant Jama Mahlalela were among the finalists for the position. The team ultimately selected DeMarco, who had previously served as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors. The circumstances surrounding DeMarco's departure were recently detailed in a New York Post report.
It remains unclear whether the Liberty will revisit candidates from the previous search or if those individuals would be interested in pursuing the role again. One notable observation from the recent coaching experiment is the apparent consensus that the Liberty should avoid hiring a novice head coach for this upcoming season. Additionally, there's a suggestion that the team's star players, particularly Breanna Stewart, should be involved in the selection process.
The coaching landscape in the WNBA has seen further flux, as the Liberty are not the only team seeking a new head coach. The Los Angeles Sparks are also in pursuit of a new leader after parting ways with Lynne Roberts in September. This parallel search adds another layer of intrigue to the league's coaching carousel.
Among the potential candidates being considered for the Liberty's head coaching vacancy are notable figures such as Becky Hammon and Kara Lawson, according to reports. Lawson, the current head coach for Duke, has been identified as a strong possibility.