
17/09/2025
Steve Donahue was officially named the 16th head coach of St. Joe’s men’s basketball program Sept. 10 following the departure of former head coach Billy Lange, who accepted a player development position with the New York Knicks.
Donahue’s appointment was confirmed by Jill Bodensteiner, JD, vice president and director of Athletics, in a 2:31 p.m. email to the St. Joe’s community. The email was sent a little over two and a half hours after ESPN’s Pete Thamel broke the news of Lange’s departure. Lange was set to enter his seventh season with the Hawks, and his decision came seven weeks before the start of the 2025-2026 season.
“Back in May, Billy Lange called me and said, ‘We have a chance to add one of the best basketball coaches and one of my closest friends to our staff,’” Bodensteiner said in Donahue’s introductory press conference Sept. 11. “Honestly, I couldn’t believe our good fortune when we named Steve Donahue our associate head coach, and today, it’s with immense joy and pride that I announce Steve Donahue as the 16th head coach in St Joe’s men’s basketball history.”
Before coaching at St. Joe’s, Donahue was head coach of the University of Pennsylvania Quakers for nine seasons, leaving with a total record of 131-130. Lange’s six-season record at St. Joe’s was 81-104.
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📝Hannah Pajtis ’26
📸Courtesy of SJU Athletics