Saint Joseph’s Basketball: Billy Lange hired as head coach
By Pan Karalis
Saint Joseph’s basketball hires Sixers assistant Billy Lange as the 15th head coach in program history.
After much speculation, Saint Joseph’s basketball announced on March 28 that they’ve hired Philadelphia 76ers assistant Billy Lange as the school’s next head men’s basketball coach. Lange, who we highlighted earlier this week as a potential target for athletic director Jill Bodensteiner’s staff, officially began in his new role after the Sixers’ win over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday. He will be formally introduced at a press conference on April 4.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Bodensteiner was drawn to Lange as a player development specialist who was lauded by Sixers’ coach Brett Brown for his ability to develop young talent. The announcement was made 10 days after Saint Joseph’s parted ways with long-time coach Phil Martelli.
Before joining the Sixers, Lange was an assistant with Philadelphia Textile (now Jefferson University), La Salle, and held two stints with Villanova. He also has head coaching experience with the United States Merchant Marine Academy, whom he led to a Division-III Sweet 16 in 2001, and at the Division-I level with the Naval Academy.
A Philadelphia-area native “deeply rooted in the spirit of Philadelphia basketball”, according to Bodensteiner, Lange’s resume is deep with local connections. His first coaching job was on the staff of Naismith Hall of Famer Herb Magee at Textile, and he coached under Speedy Morris at La Salle and Jay Wright at Villanova. The Haddon Heights, NJ product also played his college basketball under former La Salle coach Dr. John Giannini at Rowan University after graduating from Bishop Eustace Prep.
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Lange “emerged from a very talented group of candidates as the right leader and coach for the job,” Bodensteiner said. He was reportedly chosen over Saint Joseph’s basketball legend Jameer Nelson and Colgate head coach Matt Langel. Lange is the latest in a round of coaching hires made by Big 5 programs in the last year: Ashley Howard replaced John Giannini at La Salle last April, and Aaron McKie officially took over head coaching duties from Fran Dunphy after Temple’s elimination from the NCAA Tournament earlier this year. The move comes after Saint Joseph’s finished a disappointing 10th in the Atlantic 10 standings this season.