Sky hire former UMMC Ekaterinburg coach Olaf Lange as assistant coach

The Sky tapped Olaf Lange to be the newest addition to James Wade’s staff for the 2020 season, the team announced Tuesday.

Lange will replace former assistant coach Carla Morrow, who joined Ohio State’s women’s basketball staff in September.

Lange brings 25 years of professional coaching experience to the Sky, who are coming off their best season since 2015. He currently serves as an assistant coach for the Australian Opals, who are trying to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Before working with Australia’s national team, Lange was the head coach of UMMC Ekaterinburg, where he worked alongside Wade for one season. During his six-year tenure with UMMC, Lange led the Russian powerhouse to two FIBA EuroLeague titles.

Lange also boasts some WNBA experience. He was an assistant coach for the San Antonio Stars, helping them to the WNBA Finals in 2008. In 2010, he was promoted to associate head coach under-then Stars coach Sandy Brondello, whom he married in 2005. He’s also spent time as a consultant for the Mercury and Sparks.

“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,” Lange said in a statement. “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.”

Wade’s staff now consists of Lange, assistant coach Bridget Petti and player development coach Emre Vatansever.