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St. Joe's shakeup
Billy Lange leaves for the Knicks, so Hawks promote Steve Donahue to head coach less than two months before seasons starts. Plus: Three players permanently suspended for gambling scheme, Alabama lands notable recruit, BC gets an international boost, the 2026 Maui field and more.
Mike Miller
September 11, 2025
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Good morning! Today’s Daily is written by Mike Miller. Follow him on Twitter/X.com at MikeMillerF68.
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1. Billy Lange leaves, so St. Joe’s turns to Steve Donahue
The college basketball season begins in 53 days. And St. Joseph’s has a new coach.
Proud to introduce Steve Donahue as the 16th Head Coach of Saint Joseph's men's basketball!! #THWND
— Saint Joseph's Hawks (@SJUHawks)
7:05 PM • Sep 10, 2025
Why the change less than two months before tip? The New York Knicks are adding Billy Lange to their staff, according to multiple reports.
Lange, 53, spent the last six seasons at St. Joe’s, going 81-104. He never reached the NCAA Tournament and it wasn’t until last season that the Hawks even finished Atlantic 10 play above .500. Only two other coaches in program history finished with a worse winning percentage with at least six seasons.
He did win at least 20 games the last two seasons and beat his preseason KenPom rank each year, but he also had a roster with the likes of Erik Reynolds, Xzayvier Brown and Rasheer Fleming.
He entered this season as one of the coaches on the hot seat. Maybe this was a prudent move for him.
As for Donahue, 63, it’s unclear if St. Joe’s will be on stronger ground. He rose to national prominence at Cornell, winning three consecutive Ivy League titles and a spot in the 2010 Sweet 16. He later coached at Boston College for four seasons (he went 54-76) and at Penn for nine seasons (going 131-130 with one NCAA tourney appearance) before being fired in March.
But St. Joe’s put a good face on the move. He even has a multi-year contract, per Jon Rothstein.
"Coach Donahue has had an incredible impact on collegiate basketball up and down the East Coast and on the national stage," athletic director Jill Bodensteiner said in a release. "He is a rare and accomplished coach who is as respected for his basketball acumen as he is for his character."
Next up for Donahue is assessing the roster and retaining players. Per NCAA rules, they now have 30 to enter the transfer portal.
2. NCAA permanently suspends 3 players for gambling scheme
St. Joe’s losing its coach had competition for the most surprising college hoops headline on Wednesday: three players got busted for their roles in gambling violations.
