[Behind the Interview] "I thought he would refuse..." After ten days of deliberation, 'accepts coaching role' — Coach Eum Hee-seok, Head Coach Lee Sang-beom says "Thank you"

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Sang-beom (57), head coach of women's professional basketball team Bucheon Hana Bank, expressed his gratitude to newly joined senior coach Eum Hee-seok (49).

Head Coach Lee Sang-beom explained the background behind recruiting senior coach Eum Hee-seok in a phone interview with StarNews on the 29th.

Hana Bank announced on its official SNS that day that it had newly appointed senior coach Eum Hee-seok and coach Heo Yun-ja. Senior coach Eum Hee-seok began his coaching career as a coach for Anyang KGC Ginseng Corporation (now Anyang Jung Kwan Jang) after retiring as a player, and served as head coach of Yonsei University's basketball team from 2014 to 2022. He then served as head coach of Seoul Samsung in the 2022–2023 season.

It is unusual for a coach who has long served as a head coach to join as a senior coach. In particular, senior coach Eum Hee-seok has worked exclusively in men's basketball, both at the university and professional levels. Taking on a challenge in women's professional basketball was an unfamiliar choice, requiring a significant decision. A major factor in senior coach Eum Hee-seok's decision to join Hana Bank was his deep trust in Head Coach Lee Sang-beom, with whom he has a long-standing relationship. Senior coach Eum Hee-seok played as a player when Head Coach Lee Sang-beom led KGC to a championship in the 2011–2012 season.

Head Coach Lee Sang-beom could not hide his gratitude. He said, "Senior coach Eum Hee-seok had mentioned before that he wanted to try coaching under me. He said the coaching role itself was good and he was grateful."

However, there were concerns. Head Coach Lee Sang-beom said, "I think senior coach Eum Hee-seok had concerns because women's basketball is not a familiar stage for him. In fact, I also had such fears when I took on the Hana Bank head coaching role." He added, "Especially, the senior coach position requires shared responsibility for the overall operation of the team," showing his understanding of senior coach Eum Hee-seok's hesitation at the time.

Senior coach Eum Hee-seok needed time to think. Head Coach Lee Sang-beom recalled, "Senior coach Eum Hee-seok said he needed time to think things through, so I gave him about a week. I also told him, 'I hope you make a good decision.'"

The result was an unexpected 'acceptance.' Head Coach Lee Sang-beom said, "About ten days later, he contacted me again. I actually thought he wouldn't accept. But it seems senior coach Eum Hee-seok consulted with others and received various advice. I am truly grateful that he made a good decision."

With senior coach Eum Hee-seok joining, Head Coach Lee Sang-beom now has a reliable supporter. Lee said, "Coach Eum Hee-seok was a coach who dominated college basketball during his long tenure at Yonsei University. He was also with me at Jung Kwan Jang." He continued, "Senior coach Eum Hee-seok may go through some trial and error, but that period will be very short. As a coach who has served as a head coach at Navy Headquarters, he will have quick response capabilities," expressing his expectations.

Meanwhile, coach Heo Yun-ja will also return to Hana Bank. Coach Heo Yun-ja, who played as a key player for Hana Bank during her playing career, built her coaching career as a Hana Bank coach from 2022 to 2025.

Hana Bank was in need of a new female coach after coach Jung Sun-min, whose contract recently expired, left the team. The club had offered the coaching position to 'legend' Kim Jong-un, who announced his retirement at the end of last season, but Kim Jong-un politely declined, stating he wanted to take a break for the time being.

As a result, coach Heo Yun-ja will return to Hana Bank. Additionally, coach Kim Ji-hoon, who has been working as a Hana Bank coach since last season, is expected to continue contributing to the team.

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*This content was translated by AI.