Men's Basketball Announces Staff Updates
PHILADELPHIA – Saint Joseph's men's basketball head coach Billy Lange has announced three staff changes for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Chris Flegler will now be an assistant coach for player development, Phil Lawrence-Ricks is elevated to Director of Player Development and Scouting and Casey Woodford has been elevated to Director of Basketball Operations and Video.
Entering his fifth season with the Hawks, Flegler was promoted to assistant coach last season and has also spent the past two seasons as the Director of Basketball Operations, coordinating the team's day-to-day logistics. In his new role, he will add player development to his duties, including on-court training and individual player workouts.
"Chris has worked his way from graduate assistant to video coordinator to Director of Basketball Operations while contributing mightily to our program's culture," said Lange. "He has the daily on-court energy and diagnostic lens that I value highly in an assistant coach as it relates to player development. His relational skills are of the highest I have been around at any level. Our players love and respect him."
Lawrence-Ricks enters his fifth season at Saint Joseph's. It is not his first role within the organization in player development as he spent last season as an assistant coach for player development. Adding the scouting aspect to his role, Lawrence-Ricks will add on opposing team analysis and scheme preparation.
"For the last two seasons, Phil has had a significant impact on our player development," Lange remarked. "He understands all the complexities as it relates to this important area of our program. His work with Anthony Finkley over the past year was done with diligence, detail and a non-stop pursuit to elevate Anthony's game. Additionally, he has worked with our staff in opponent and scout team preparation. He is ready for a leadership role in these areas."
Also entering his fifth season at St. Joe's, Woodford retains his role in video coordination, adding the responsibilities of basketball operations. In that new area, he will be in charge of the program's day-to-day scheduling, serve as a liaison for the athletic department, coordinate program travel arrangements and assist with event organization.
Lange had this to say about Woodford.
"Casey is a highly valued member of our program. His work ethic, work habits, attention to detail and care for people have been consistent since he arrived on Hawk Hill four years ago. He is prepared to take on the leadership role of our Director of Basketball Operations. This role requires high level communication, skilled collaboration and respectful confrontation. Casey will thrive as he elevates our culture.
SJU is coming off a 22-13 record in 2024-25, which included a second consecutive appearance in both the Atlantic 10 semifinals and NIT.
Latest Men's Soccer News
- Rasheer Fleming Selected 31st In The 2025 NBA DraftRasheer Fleming was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the 31st overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, becoming the 34th Saint Joseph's player to be chosen in the NBA Draft. As part of a deal to be finalized later, the Minnesota Timberwolves are trading to the Phoenix Suns the draft rights to Fleming.
- Saint Joseph’s University Opts-In to NIL Deals for Basketball Student-Athletes, Affirming Commitment to Competitive ExcellenceSaint Joseph's University announced that it will opt-in to the historic House vs. NCAA settlement, paving the way for licensing of student-athletes' name, image and likeness.
- Women's Soccer Announces 2025 SchedulePHILADELPHIA – Head coach Jess Manella of the Saint Joseph's women's soccer team announced the squad's 2025 schedule on Tuesday. The 18-match slate includes multiple local rivalries as well as contests against traditional powerhouses in their conferences.
- Introducing: The Maguire Athletic CenterIn order for student-athletes to compete at the highest levels, they need to be supported by state-of-the-art facilities to enhance their training, performance and overall well-being. Enter: The Maguire Athletic Center.
- Council, Moser and Newman To Serve As Hawk Mascots For 2025-26John Council, David Moser and Christopher Newman will serve as the Saint Joseph's Hawk mascots for the 2025-26 academic year, department officials announced on Tuesday. Council will serve as The Hawk for the men's basketball program, while Newman and Moser return as The Hawk for the women's basketball program for a second consecutive year.
- St. Joe's Student-Athletes Continue To Excel In NCAA Division I Academic Progress RateSaint Joseph's student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom as the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics has announced the Academic Progress Rates for the most current multi-year cohort. Along with the Hawks' overall success, Saint Joseph's baseball, men's golf, men's tennis, women's basketball, women's cross country, women's rowing, women's soccer and women's tennis programs each were recognized in the Top 10 for their outstanding success rates during the 2023-24 academic year.