Billy Lange is joining New York Knicks (Image via Getty Images) ESPN insider Pete Thamel recently reported that former Philadelphia 76ers assistant Billy Lange is expected to step down as Saint Joseph’s University men’s basketball head coach in order to join the New York Knicks’ coaching staff under new head coach Mike Brown. Brown has already been hailed as one of the NBA’s most powerful rookies. Meanwhile, the Knicks have increased their focus on experience and development since Lange joined the team.
New York Knicks add Billy Lange in the coaching stuff to strengthen player development under Mike Brown
Former Saint Joseph’s head coach Billy Lange has been hired by the New York Knicks in the coaching stuff. At Saint Joseph’s, Lange was about to start his seventh season. He is expected to be in charge of the Knicks’ player development program, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv. Lange, a New Jersey native, has coached nearly 20 years. He has professional and college basketball experience. Hence, joining one of the NBA’s most aggressive teams was an opportunity too great to pass up. In addition to contributing to Philadelphia’s offence, he played a similar role while he was with the 76ers.As per Pete Thamel:“The New York Knicks are expected to hire Saint Joseph’s head coach Billy Lange for a role on the coaching staff, sources tell me, @Jeff Borzello and @Tim Bontemps. He was set to enter his seventh season at St. Joe’s…”Since hiring Brown to succeed former head coach Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks have made a few coaching staff adjustments. New York is also bringing in former Birmingham Squadron head coach T.J. Saint, while new assistants Chris Jent and Brendan O’Connor are anticipated to lead the offence and defense, respectively.Additionally, the Knicks are adding Charles Allen and Riccardo Fois, two player development assistants who worked under Brown in Sacramento, and keeping a number of coaches from Thibodeau’s staff, like Rick Brunson and Maurice Cheeks. After a protracted search, the Knicks hired Mike Brown as their head coach. Over a long period of time, New York has also rounded out their assistant coaching staff.
Billy Lange’s coaching journey from Villanova and 76ers to joining Knicks’ bench
For a number of seasons, Lange served as Brett Brown’s assistant coach in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers. As Lange was on Jay Wright’s coaching staff at Villanova on several occasions, he also has ties to the coach. When Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and Jalen Brunson joined Villanova, Lange had already left for the NBA.
Billy Lange in action (Image via Getty Images)
Lange began coaching in 1996, mostly at the collegiate level. He took a number of positions at smaller institutions before joining Villanova as Jay Wright’s assistant from 2001 to 2004. From 2004 to 2011, he was Navy’s head coach. From 2011 to 2013, he returned to Villanova as Wright’s associate head coach. After that, Lange moved to the NBA, serving as Brett Brown’s coaching assistant in Philadelphia from 2013 until 2019. He has been the head coach of St. Joe’s for the last six seasons after making his comeback to the NCAA in 2019. Meanwhile, now, he is set to join the Knicks. Also read: Ben Simmons nearing decision as New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings lead race, Boston Celtics also in mix