Lange moves on to NBA Front-Office Post; Big 5 veteran Steve Donahue named Hawks 16th head coach

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Saint Joseph's University Vice President and Director of Athletics Jill Bodensteiner announced that Head Men's Basketball Coach Billy Lange is moving to the New York Knicks in a front-office post focused on player development, following a tenure marked by progressive and sustainable growth. Steve Donahue has been named the 16th head coach in the 116-year history of the Hawks' storied men's basketball program. Donahue takes the helm of a team with a strong trajectory.

"Billy and I shared a vision for how to run a program in the new world of college sports," said Bodensteiner. "He built that infrastructure from the ground up -- people, culture, facilities, student-athlete development and talent. We have all of the pieces we need to be successful as Steve Donahue leads us into our next chapter of Hawks basketball."

"Coach Lange guided our program with integrity, energy and a focus on developing exceptional student-athletes. I'm grateful for Billy and wish him all the best," said Cheryl A. McConnell, president of Saint Joseph's University. "And now, I am thrilled to welcome Coach Donahue as our new head coach. He is deeply connected to Hawk Hill and is a proven leader. I have every confidence in him and his commitment to our values and mission."

Over six seasons with Lange at the helm of the Hawks, St. Joe's earned consecutive Big 5 Classic titles and a pair of postseason berths. Named the 2024-25 Big 5 Coach of the Year, Lange led Saint Joseph's to back-to-back 20-win seasons the past two years for the first time since 2003-04 and 2004-05.

Individually, Lange's emphasis on development throughout his career has fueled numerous standout careers on Hawk Hill. Under his guidance, Erik Reynolds II became the Hawks' all-time leading scorer, while teammate Rasheer Fleming was selected 31st overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. Additionally, Jordan Hall earned an NBA opportunity, and veterans Cameron Brown and Taylor Funk elevated their games into professional careers.

From this strong foundation built on an investment of people, culture and facilities, Donahue will lead the Hawks into the 2025-2026 season and beyond.

"Coach Donahue has had an incredible impact on collegiate basketball up and down the East Coast and on the national stage," said Bodensteiner. "He is a rare and accomplished coach who is as respected for his basketball acumen as he is for his character."

Donahue came to Hawk Hill this past May after nine seasons as the head coach at University of Pennsylvania where he mentored 15 All-Ivy League selections and was named Ivy League Coach of the Year for the 2017-2018 season when he guided Penn to the NCAA tournament.

"From the minute I arrived on Hawk Hill, I've been blown away by the state of the program, and I'm so thankful to Dr. McConnell, Jill and Billy for bringing me into the Hawk family. It is a program I watched closely from our great match-ups in the Big 5 and I've long admired St. Joe's for its legacy, tradition and dedicated fan base," said Donahue. "But nothing prepared me for what I saw when I joined the team. We are athletic, deep and talented; we have the people, culture and first-class facilities. We have everything we need to win."

Donahue's coaching is credited with a turnaround at Cornell, culminating in a 29-5 record that advanced the Big Red to the Sweet 16. A Delaware County native, Donahue's coaching experience spans more than three decades and includes four seasons at Boston College, during which he took the Eagles to the Second Round of the 2011 NIT.

When hired in May, Donahue said, "St. Joe's has always been a big part of my family. Five siblings, including my sister Kathy -- who worked at St. Joe's for nearly 40 years -- attended the University, as did my son Matthew. Uncles, nieces, cousins, you name it. It's more than a job, it's home."

Donahue and the Hawks host Delaware in an exhibition contest on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Hagan Arena.

-- SJU --

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SOURCE Saint Joseph's University

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 10, 2025 15:00 ET (19:00 GMT)