Reports: St. Joseph's coach Billy Lange leaving for Knicks job

Field Level Media|published: Wed 10th September, 13:12 2025

NCAA Basketball: Villanova at St. Joseph

Dec 17, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Saint Joseph's Hawks head coach Billy Lange leads a huddle against the Villanova Wildcats in the second half at Michael J. Hagan Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Billy Lange is leaving his role as head coach at St. Joseph's for a job with the New York Knicks, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.

Lange replaced Phil Martelli, who led the Hawks for 24 seasons, before the 2018-19 campaign. He had a record of 173-219 but his winning percentage increased each season, from .188 (6-26) in the first season to .629 (22-13) in 2024-25.

CBS Sports reported that former Cornell, Boston College and Penn head coach Steve Donahue will take over at St. Joseph's.

The Hawks, of the Atlantic-10 conference, have not played in the NCAA Tournament since 2015-16.

Lange, who started his coaching career in the high school ranks in 1995, previously was the head coach at the Merchant Marine Academy (1999-2001) and Navy (2004-11). He also has served as an assistant coach at Villanova and La Salle and with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Hawks open the season Nov. 3 against Lafayette.

--Field Level Media