The New York Liberty are trying to find one other head coach, parting ways with Chris DeMarco after only one season. After successful the franchise’s first WNBA championship in 2024, New York has now moved on from two coaches in back-to-back seasons.
DeMarco guided the Liberty to a 26-18 regular-season file and the Commissioner’s Cup title. They made historical past by sweeping the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx within the first spherical of the playoffs. However their season ended with a semifinal sweep by the hands of the Atlanta Dream.
With Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones nonetheless below contract, the Liberty want somebody able to maximizing their championship window.
Listed below are 5 candidates who take advantage of sense for New York.
1. Kristi Toliver, Phoenix Mercury affiliate head coach
Toliver must be on the prime of the Liberty’s listing. She was a finalist for the place earlier than DeMarco was employed and affords the mix of WNBA expertise and NBA teaching background that New York ought to prioritize.
Toliver performed 14 seasons within the WNBA, successful championships with the Los Angeles Sparks and Washington Mystics. She started her teaching profession with the Washington Wizards in 2018 earlier than becoming a member of the Dallas Mavericks and ultimately changing into an affiliate head coach with the Phoenix Mercury.
Given her earlier consideration for the job, New York ought to take one other critical have a look at Toliver.
White could be probably the most achieved out there candidate if the Liberty can persuade Indiana to let her go. She has in depth WNBA head-coaching expertise, together with main the Connecticut Sun to a 28-12 file in 2024 and a semifinal look.
Her familiarity with the calls for of teaching within the WNBA can be a big improve in expertise in contrast with DeMarco; nonetheless, there’s a main impediment. White has one other assured 12 months remaining on her contract with Indiana. The Fever are additionally present process a front-office transition, which may have an effect on her state of affairs. New York would wish to find out whether or not pursuing her is sensible.
The previous No. 1 total decide performed 9 seasons within the WNBA, together with the ultimate season of her taking part in profession with New York. She has since labored within the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings earlier than becoming a member of the Lakers.
Harding made historical past by changing into the primary girl to win NBA G League Coach of the 12 months after main the Stockton Kings to a 24-10 file in 2023-24. She was additionally beforehand thought of for the Liberty job, however she’s additionally receiving attention from the Los Angeles Sparks, who’re trying to find a head coach of their very own.
4. James Wade, former Chicago Sky head coach
Wade affords one thing the Liberty desperately want: confirmed expertise successful within the WNBA. He coached the Chicago Sky from 2019 via 2023, incomes Coach of the 12 months honors in 2019 and main the franchise to its first championship in 2021.
Wade later left Chicago for an assistant teaching place with the Toronto Raptors. His departure from Chicago and the circumstances surrounding his transfer to Toronto may create questions on his match, however his resume warrants consideration.
5. Jenny Boucek, Indiana Pacers assistant coach
Boucek is an skilled basketball coach with a prolonged historical past within the WNBA. She beforehand served as head coach of the Sacramento Monarchs and Seattle Storm earlier than transitioning to the NBA, the place she has labored with the Kings, Mavericks and Pacers.
Her time in Seattle is especially notable as a result of she coached Stewart through the early years of the ahead’s WNBA profession. That current familiarity may assist her join with considered one of New York’s most vital gamers. Whereas she won’t generate the identical consideration as among the different candidates, she deserves a spot within the dialog.
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