Billy Lange , Knicks
Getty
Billy Lange left Saint Joseph's Hawks to join the New York Knicks coaching staff.
The New York Knicks are turning to an experienced hand in player development, hiring former Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Billy Lange to join Mike Brown’s staff, according to ESPN reporters Pete Thamel, Jeff Borzello, and Tim Bontemps.
SNY’s Ian Begley reported, citing league sources, that Lange will oversee the Knicks’ player development program, a key role as the team looks to maximize its young talent.
Focus on Developing Young Talent
New York has several young players selected over the past two drafts. Last year’s draft class included Pacome Dadiet (25th), Tyler Kolek (34th), Kevin McCullar Jr. (56th), and Ariel Hukporti (58th), none of whom cracked the Knicks’ rotation under former coach Tom Thibodeau. This year, the team added French forward Mohamed Diawara (51st) as its lone draft selection.
The Knicks’ investment in player development comes as the team operates near the NBA’s second apron with a core led by All-NBA stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Developing young talent efficiently is a priority, particularly after Thibodeau’s tenure focused more heavily on veteran performance.
Lange’s Coaching Experience
Lange brings a wealth of experience to the Knicks. He previously held a similar role with the 76ers from 2013 to 2019, during the height of “The Process,” overseeing the development of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and other emerging stars. The 53-year-old is leaving his position as head coach of Saint Joseph’s University for New York.
A New Jersey native, Lange has been coaching since 1996, primarily in college basketball. He served as an assistant at Villanova from 2001-2004 under Jay Wright, was Navy’s head coach from 2004-2011, and returned to Villanova as associate head coach from 2011-2013, before Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges joined the Wildcats, leading to two national titles.
Knicks Reshape Coaching Staff Under Brown
Since bringing in Brown to replace Thibodeau, the Knicks have reshaped their coaching staff. Brown’s top assistants will be Chris Jent, who will coordinate the offense, and Brendan O’Connor, who will lead the defense.
Chris Jent, Knicks
Getty Head coach Chris Jent of the Charlotte Hornets looks on in the first half of a 2025 NBA Summer League. He is set to join the New York Knicks as the associate head coach under Mike Brown.
Jent, 55, briefly played for the Knicks during the 1996-97 season and has been an NBA assistant since 2003. He served as interim head coach for the Orlando Magic in 2004-05 and as head coach of the NBA D League’s Bakersfield Jam in 2015-16. Most recently, he guided the Charlotte Hornets to their first Summer League championship.
O’Connor comes to New York from the Los Angeles Clippers. O’Connor worked as a Knicks assistant under Larry Brown in 2005-2006. SiriusXM NBA Radio host Frank Isola reported that and has close ties to Knicks executive William Wesley, known in the league as “World Wide Wes.”
Additional Staff Changes
The Knicks are also adding former Birmingham Squadron head coach T.J. Saint and bringing in player development assistants Charles Allen and Riccardo Fois, both of whom worked under Brown in Sacramento. Several coaches from Thibodeau’s staff, including Rick Brunson, Darren Erman, and Maurice Cheeks, will remain, while Othella Harrington, Daniel Brad, Dice Yoshimoto, and longtime Thibodeau assistant Andy Greer will not return.
With these moves, the Knicks aim to better integrate their young players into the rotation while complementing the high-level performance of their All-NBA stars. The addition of Lange, in particular, underscores the organization’s commitment to developing the next generation of talent while balancing a competitive roster.