The latest coaching hire by way of the Chicago Sky has heavy overseas vibes to it.
A year after the Sky came close to advancing to the 2019 WNBA semifinals, James Wade has tapped Olaf Lange as an assistant coach.
Lange’s hire comes after Carla Morrow assumed a similar job with Ohio State. In addition, he’s currently coaching Liz Cambage as an assistant with the Australian Opals as they look to advance to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
I am thrilled and honored for the opportunity to be a part of the Chicago Sky and to work alongside James Wade and his coaching staff.
–Olaf Lange, assistant coach, Chicago Sky (per press release)
It is an exciting time to join the Sky! I am looking forward to helping the team to achieve their goals in any way I can.
–Olaf Lange, assistant coach, Chicago Sky (per press release)
Welcome to #skytown, @Laola12! pic.twitter.com/fx8Ee5YQYP
— Chicago Sky (@wnbachicagosky) December 17, 2019
Lange coached Russia’s UMMC Ekaterinburg for six years, meaning he was coach for Emma Meesseman’s European team since 2016. The team won five consecutive Russian Premier League titles and a pair of FIBA EuroLeague championships under Lange.
He has been a coach since 1995 and has previously worked with Wade in Russia.
He is no rookie, and has always been known as a very intelligent coach. He is a players’ coach who brings immeasurable value to every team that he coaches. We’re not satisfied with the season that we had last year, and I’m confident the addition of Olaf will help us bring us one step closer to our ultimate goal, so I am extremely pleased to be able to welcome him to our coaching staff.
–James Wade, head coach, Chicago Sky (per press release)
Lange’s coaching resume also includes WNBA bullet points. In 2007, he was an assistant for the San Antonio Stars, including for the franchise’s lone Finals appearance in 2008. He has also been a consultant for several teams – including the Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury, who is coached by Sandy Brondello, Lange’s wife.
Last season’s Chicago Sky team finished 20-14 and is sure to enter a 2020 season with raised expectations after a 2019 that maybe looked at as a disappointment within Sky circles, but is sure to be a building block towards that “ultimate goal” Wade spoke of.
