March 26, 2004

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Billy Lange, Villanova's coordinator of basketball operations for the past three years, was named today as head coach at the United States Naval Academy.

"I'm extremely excited about the opportunity to coach at what I believe is the finest educational institution in the country," stated Lange, 32. "The Naval Academy possesses the best student-athletes in the nation and together we will create a positive environment that is built on teamwork and respects the tradition of the Academy and Navy Basketball."

"To meet Coach Lange is to be immediately impressed with his energy, demeanor and enthusiasm for this important opportunity," said Naval Academy director of athletics Chet Gladchuk. "Everyone we talked to that has worked with him, for him, or played on his teams has the highest compliments regarding his successful professional relationships and motivating style of leadership. I strongly believe our players will enjoy playing for Coach Lange and will compete to the best of their abilities for him. He will be a wonderful role model for our midshipmen, those within the Naval Academy family and throughout the community."

Lange came to the Main Line after two impressive seasons as head coach at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. Appointed in 1999, Lange led his team to a 39-19 (.672) record while claiming two Skyline Conference crowns and a berth in the 2001 NCAA Division III Sweet 16. He was named the New York Metropolitan Basketball Writers Division III Coach of the Year in 2001.

At Villanova, Lange was a key cog on coach Jay Wright's staff.

"Billy Lange is one of the great young basketball coaches in the country," stated Wright. "He understands from his years at Kings Point and Villanova how to run an entire program. He was invaluable to us in everything we've done to try and build our program at Villanova in one of the toughest conferences in the country, the Big East. I've known him through his years as a high school coach, college assistant and college head coach and he has a tremendous understanding of the game, a great passion for the game and an outstanding ability to relate and inspire young players. Everyone at Villanova wishes Billy the best and we're all rooting for Navy."

Lange and his wife, Alicia, have a son, Will, who was born on Dec. 15, 2003.