New York Liberty assistant Katie Smith promoted to top job

NEW YORK -- Katie Smith is the new head coach of the New York Liberty.

Smith had been an assistant with the Liberty since she retired from the WNBA in 2013. She was promoted to associate head coach in 2016. The team announced Monday that she is taking over for Bill Laimbeer, who served as the Liberty's head coach from 2013-17.

A person with knowledge of the move tells The Associated Press that Laimbeer will become head coach and general manager of the San Antonio Stars after they are sold and relocated. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because no official announcement has been made.

This will be Smith's first head-coaching job.

The Liberty have finished with the league's third-best record the past two seasons and lost in their opening playoff game each year.