Controversy over player assault follows coach Seung-gi Kim’s resignation
Quickly appoint a commander and set the team mood
“We will work hard to turn this around, taking important measures during difficult times.”
Goyang Sono, a professional basketball team, appointed former guard Kim Tae-sul as its second head coach on the 24th. Provided by Sono
‘Magic Kid’ Kim Tae-sul (40), commentator, takes the baton of Goyang Sono, a professional basketball team, and debuts as the head coach.
Sono announced on the 24th, “I will hand over the leadership to Commissioner Kim Tae-sul,” and “we have agreed to a four-year contract.” However, the specific contract amount was not disclosed. With former coach Kim Seung-gi voluntarily resigning after being embroiled in controversy over player assault, Sono quickly searched for a new head coach candidate and unconventionally appointed a novice coach with no professional coaching experience.
Sono’s side explained the reason for the appointment, saying, “Although he is a rookie head coach, we were looking for a young and promising leader for the will and positive change of a club that needs new leadership.” This is not the first time Sono has been selected as a surprise. In 2016, when the Daemyung Ice Hockey Team was founded, coach Song Chi-young, who was 35 years old, was appointed as the first head coach.
New coach Kim Tae-sul has been attracting attention since his amateur days as a promising player who will continue the lineage of ‘genius guards’ of Kang Dong-hee, Lee Sang-min, and Kim Seung-hyun. During his time at Yonsei University, he led the team to victory in the basketball competition as a college student. He debuted as a professional in 2007 and played as a top guard, nicknamed ‘Magic Kid’, and retired from Wonju DB at the end of the 2020-21 season. Although he gained leadership experience as a temporary coach at his alma mater, Yonsei University, last year, he has yet to officially lead a team in a professional team, middle school, high school, or college team.
Director Kim Tae-sul during his active years. Hankook Ilbo file photo
When Coach Kim makes his official debut, he will become the youngest head coach in professional basketball. He is one year younger than Kim Hyo-beom, manager of Seoul Samsung (born in 1983), and the same as Ham Ji-hoon (Ulsan Hyundai Mobis), the oldest active player, in 1984. Sono’s unusual move is interpreted as an attempt to improve the team atmosphere and image of the club, which had become dark due to the controversy over former coach Kim Seung-gi’s assault on a player.
Coach Kim, who is starting his career as Sono’s second coach, said, “It is a heavy burden on my shoulders to take on such an important responsibility during a difficult time. Although it will be a short period of time, I will work hard to turn the atmosphere around by communicating well with the players. As much as I have been given the opportunity, I will do my best one by one.” “I will try to make basketball fun while preparing,” he pledged.
Coach Kim will meet with the players for full-scale training starting on the 25th, and will make his debut in an away game against DB on the 28th. In addition, Park Chan-hee (37), who played with Anyang KGC (currently CheongKwanJang), will join as a coach.
Kim Ji-seop reporter [email protected]
