Utah Jazz: Antonio Lang promoted within Jazz coaching staff

With the departure of Igor Kokoskov, the Utah Jazz and Quin Snyder have promoted Antonio Lang to the front of the bench.

The Utah Jazz Public Relations department released a statement on Saturday, announcing that assistant coach Antonio Lang has been promoted to the front of the bench for the upcoming 2018-19 season.

Lang was brought onto the Jazz coaching staff in 2014 when Quin Snyder was hired as the Head Coach. Snyder and Lang have had a close connection over the years due to their overlapping time at Duke University. Lang was a senior at the school during the first year that Snyder was brought on as an assistant coach.

Following his time at Duke, Lang enjoyed a six-year career, where he played with Phoenix, Cleveland, Toronto and Philadelphia. After his NBA career, Lang would go on to play and coach overseas, primarily in Japan. Fun fact about Lang is that he is fluent in Japan.

On May 19, 2010, Lang was named the head coach of the Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins, where he would coach for four seasons. In his final year, he led the Dolphins to a 29-25 record, which was 3rd best in the West.

With the Departure of Igor Kokoskov, many worried that Lang would depart to Phoenix to be a part of Igor’s staff. Fortunately, that won’t be the case. During his time with the Utah Jazz, Lang has been praised for his player development skills, and one of his closest connections on the team is actually impending free agent Derrick Favors.

This is an exciting time for Lang and his family, and they are ready for this next step in his career. In an interview with the Deseret News, Lang said:

"I’m just happy to be a part of a group of special people,” Lang told the Deseret News. “Special coaches, special management, special ownership, special players, and training staff and special fans.”"

Next: Utah Jazz: If not Derrick Favors, then who?

Congratulations to Coach Antonio Lang! Jazz Nation is happy to have you as a part of the team!