Because the sporting crisis in Rickey Paulding’s farewell season cannot be stopped, EWE Baskets Oldenburg made another change of coach on Monday.
For the second time in just two weeks, BBL last-place Oldenburg has changed coaches. Former international Ingo Freyer took over from Alen Abaz on Monday and is expected to save the Lower Saxons from relegation. “We have to realise that the change in the coaching position with Alen did not have the hoped-for effect,” said Baskets boss Hermann Schüller. “The situation has become even worse for us. After numerous meetings, we have come to the conclusion that we need an impulse from outside, a different approach to turn the tide. “
Successful years in Hagen
The 50-year-old Freyer is a relegation battle expert. In 2009, the former Alba Berlin player led underdog Phoenix Hagen into the Bundesliga and managed to stay in the league every year until 2016. He also managed to do so twice with the Giessen 46ers.
His predecessor Abaz will return to the Oldenburg team as co-coach. He replaced his long-time boss Mladen Drijencic on 19 January, but then lost the games against Crailsheim (86:97), Braunschweig (78:94) and Bonn (65:89). All in all, the Baskets have only managed two victories in the current “epidemic season”.
A season that should actually have a positive ending on the Hunte. Because Oldenburg’s basketball icon Paulding is ending his career after this season and should preferably not leave as a relegated player. The 39-year-old US-American has played for the Thunderbirds since 2007.
