Jemele Hill calls out double standard in Liberty coach’s firing

Jemele Hill claims that misogyny played a role in the New York Liberty's decision to fire head coach Chris DeMarco after just one season.

Speaking on the Flagrant & Funny podcast alongside Cari Champion, Hill argued that a double standard allowed DeMarco to get the job in the first place.

DeMarco was hired to replace Sandy Brondello, who led the Liberty to their first WNBA championship in 2024.

Brondello left New York after that title run and now coaches the Toronto Tempo, who are performing well.

DeMarco came from the NBA, where he worked as an assistant coach.

He had zero WNBA experience when he took over the Liberty.

At his introductory press conference, DeMarco admitted he was not overly familiar with the WNBA or the Liberty.

He said he would order books to learn everything he needed to know.

That plan did not work out, according to reports.

The Liberty finished the 2026 regular season at 26-18, earning the No. 8 seed.

They upset the Minnesota Lynx in the first round of the playoffs but were swept by the Atlanta Dream in the semifinals.

Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones all declined to endorse DeMarco's future as head coach in their final media availability.

Stewart said the team was not consistent throughout the season and that you cannot "cram for a test" in the WNBA.

The Liberty fired DeMarco after that playoff exit.

Hill said on the podcast that handing an NBA assistant the keys to a WNBA team with zero league experience proves a blatant double standard.

She pointed out that a woman with that same resume would not even get an interview in the men's game.

"I hate to say it, but that's kind of the inherent gender bias of this," Hill said.

"On the reverse, if there was a woman that desired to coach in the NBA or was an assistant, she could never loudly say, 'Hey, you know what? Thank you for putting me' — well, one, she'd never be put in charge of an NBA team without any previous NBA coaching experience."

"Like, that would not happen," Hill continued.

"So even if it's the WNBA, there's still some inherent sexism and misogyny in the league that they have to confront."

Cari Champion agreed and said the argument that someone from the NBA can come to the WNBA, figure it out, and get a grace period bothers her.

"And that is because Chris DeMarco, the former head coach of the New York Liberty, admitted he hadn't really followed the WNBA before he got this gig," Champion said.

"I would have been embarrassed. I would not have had the audacity to admit that. I would have been embarrassed to say that."

Women have broken ground in the NBA, but never at the absolute top.

Becky Hammon came closest, running the San Antonio Spurs' bench as an assistant coach.

Others like Teresa Resch have worked high up in front offices.

Female referees and trainers also work in the NBA.

But a woman has never landed a permanent head-coaching gig in the league.

Hill's comments have reignited debate about how the WNBA and NBA handle coaching hires across gender lines.

The Liberty now face another coaching search, this time looking for a leader who can handle a star-studded title contender.

Brondello's departure looks worse with each passing season.