After 13 seasons and four championships, a key Warriors assistant transitions to lead the New York Liberty, closing a dynasty chapter.
The Golden State Warriors will close one of the longest-running coaching tenures of their dynasty era Monday night, with longtime assistant Chris DeMarco coaching his final game before departing for the WNBA.
DeMarco, a four-time NBA champion assistant coach, is set to become the new head coach of the New York Liberty after spending 13 seasons on the Warriors’ staff. His final appearance on the Golden State bench will come against the Brooklyn Nets, marking the end of a rare run that spanned multiple regimes, arenas, and championship cycles.
The Warriors formally acknowledged the transition Monday, confirming that DeMarco’s tenure with the organization would conclude following the game.
The move was finalized earlier this month, when New York hired DeMarco to replace Sandy Brondello. While the decision was made Dec. 3, DeMarco remained with Golden State through the completion of administrative steps, allowing him to continue assisting head coach Steve Kerr and the Warriors during the interim.
DeMarco joined Golden State’s coaching staff in 2012, predating Kerr’s arrival and witnessing the franchise’s full transformation from a rising playoff team into one of the most dominant dynasties in NBA history. During his tenure, the Warriors won four championships — two before Kevin Durant’s arrival, two during Durant’s stint, and sustained relevance well beyond it.
The Appleton, Wisconsin native filled nearly every role imaginable on an NBA staff, serving as an advanced scout early in his career before moving onto the bench and later taking on responsibilities across player development and both sides of the ball. His longevity and adaptability allowed him to remain a fixture through organizational changes, roster turnover and league-wide evolution.
Golden State star Stephen Curry spoke about DeMarco’s influence and the trust he earned throughout the organization.
Curry reflected on DeMarco’s unique perspective as one of the few coaches to experience every phase of the Warriors’ rise.
“Having been with this organization for 17 years, there are certain guys who have been there pretty much since Day One that have seen all different changes and every step of the journey from up-and-comer to first playoff series to what this last decade has meant,” Curry said.
He emphasized DeMarco’s work ethic and advocacy behind the scenes.
“For a guy like that that’s earned everything he’s gotten in this league with his hard work — there’s a reason he’s still a part of the staff from the Mark Jackson era to now,” Curry said. “I talked to the GM here on his behalf, just understanding who he is as a coach and everything that he’s contributed and learned along the way. I’m excited for him. I know he’s ready.”
Kerr, who coached alongside DeMarco for more than a decade, described the departure as both professionally significant and personally difficult.
“It’s almost surreal,” Kerr said. “He’s been a great coach, a great friend. Twelve years with him and hugely valuable to our team.”
Kerr detailed DeMarco’s versatility and the void his exit will create.
“My first year, he was an advanced scout. He eventually came to the bench. He’s worked both sides of the ball, worked in player development,” Kerr said. “He’s a huge part of our staff, and we’re going to have to fill the void he leaves — both strategically and just who he is as a person.”
DeMarco, who has never previously served as a head coach, reflected on the arc of his time in Golden State and the relationships that shaped his career.
He described the experience as a series of chapters that defined both his growth and the franchise’s success.
“I’m obviously in a unique position having been with the former regime and then Steve coming on,” DeMarco said. “We grew this thing and turned it into a championship team. We had a great run going to all those Finals, dealt with injuries, moved from Oakland to San Francisco, and then came back and did it again in 2022.”
He expressed gratitude to those who supported him along the way.
“I’m very grateful for all of our players, staff, Steve, the organization and ownership,” DeMarco said. “From when I was a young coach to helping me get to where I am today, they’ve all looked out for me.”
With Monday’s game serving as his final NBA chapter for now, DeMarco will soon begin a new challenge — leading one of the WNBA’s premier franchises, carrying with him more than a decade of championship-level experience from Golden State.