Helena Frye
Will Voigt is an American basketball coach who has held various coaching positions in the United States and abroad. Voigt grew up in Cabot, Vermont, and began his career in coaching as an assistant at the University of Texas. Since then, he has gone on to coach at the professional, minor league, and collegiate levels, including a stint as head coach of the Nigerian national team, leading them to their first AfroBasket title in 2015 and qualification for the 2016 Summer Olympics. More recently, Voigt has signed deals with teams in Egypt, Angola, and Germany, showcasing his impact on the global game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Voigt |
| Date of Birth | 18 August 1976 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma Mater | Pomona College, California |
| Degree | Political Science |
| Current Role | Assistant coach, Brigham Young University (BYU) men's basketball team |
| Previous Roles | Head coach, Zamalek (Egyptian Basketball Super League and the Basketball Africa League); Head coach, Austin Spurs (NBA G League); Assistant coach, Shanxi Brave Dragons (Chinese Basketball Association); Head coach, Nigerian national team (AfroBasket 2015); Head coach, Angola national basketball team; Head coach, Telekom Baskets Bonn (German Bundesliga side) |
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What You'll Learn
Will Voigt's coaching career
William "Will" Voigt is an American basketball coach with a variety of coaching roles at different levels in the United States and internationally. Voigt grew up in Cabot, Vermont, and began his career in sports playing varsity basketball and soccer at Cabot High School. He later attended Pomona College in California, where he played soccer and graduated with a degree in political science.
During his time at Pomona College, Voigt landed an internship with the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. After graduating, he took on a role as a video coordinator with the San Antonio Spurs. A year later, he entered the world of college coaching, taking on an assistant role at the University of Texas under Rick Barnes. Voigt's first head coaching job was in Norway, where he led Ulriken Elite from 2003 to 2006. He then returned to the United States and was selected by the fans of the Vermont Frost Heaves, a franchise owned by Sports Illustrated writer Alexander Wolff, to be their head coach. In the first two seasons of the franchise's existence, Voigt led the Frost Heaves to back-to-back ABA Championships.
In 2009, Voigt was again selected by the fans, this time to be the head coach of the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League. He led the Jam to three playoff appearances before leaving the team in 2014. Voigt then headed back overseas, spending a season as an assistant coach for the Shanxi Brave Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association. In 2015, he was selected to lead the Nigerian national team at AfroBasket 2015, where Nigeria won its first title and qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Following this success, Voigt continued his international coaching career by taking on the role of head coach for the Angola National Team in 2017, helping them qualify for the 2019 FIBA World Cup. He then served as head coach for Zamalek of the Egyptian Basketball Super League, leading them to a third-place finish in the 2022 Basketball Africa League Playoffs.
On June 28, 2023, Voigt was hired as head coach by the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League, marking his return to the Spurs organization. On June 3, 2024, it was announced that Voigt would become an assistant coach for the Brigham Young University (BYU) men's basketball team, where he currently serves.
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Voigt's time in the NBA
William Voigt's journey in the NBA is an impressive one. Voigt, born in Cabot, Vermont, on August 18, 1976, has had a diverse career in the world of basketball, both as a player and a coach. During his high school years at Cabot High School, he actively participated in varsity basketball and soccer. This early exposure to the game laid the foundation for his future in the sport.
Voigt's association with the NBA began during his college years at Pomona College in California, where he landed an internship with the Los Angeles Clippers. This opportunity presented him with valuable insights into the inner workings of an NBA franchise. After completing his degree in political science, Voigt took on the role of video coordinator with the San Antonio Spurs, marking his entry into the professional realm of basketball.
In 2009, Voigt's coaching career reached a new height as he was selected by the fans to be the head coach of the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League. His impact was immediate, guiding the team to three playoff appearances during his tenure, which concluded in 2014. This success showcased his ability to lead and inspire players, attracting attention from international basketball circuits.
Following his stint with the Bakersfield Jam, Voigt embarked on a global journey, coaching teams across the world. He spent time in China, serving as an assistant coach for the Shanxi Brave Dragons in the Chinese Basketball Association. Voigt's ability to adapt to different basketball cultures and his tactical acumen were on full display during this period.
In 2015, Voigt's career took another significant turn as he was chosen to lead the Nigerian national team at AfroBasket. This decision proved to be a masterstroke as Nigeria won its first title, securing automatic qualification for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. Voigt's tactical prowess and leadership skills were instrumental in this historic achievement for Nigerian basketball.
Voigt's success with the Nigerian team led to further opportunities on the international stage. In November 2017, he signed a three-year deal with the Angolan Basketball Federation as the head coach of the Angola national basketball team. Additionally, he consulted for a team in the Philippine Basketball Association during the same year, showcasing his ability to make an impact across multiple teams and countries.
While Voigt's impact in international basketball is undeniable, he has also made waves in the NBA G League. On June 28, 2023, he was appointed as the head coach of the Austin Spurs, a role he held until he joined Brigham Young University as an assistant coach for the Cougar's men's basketball team in 2024.
Throughout his career, Voigt has earned praise from fellow coaches and industry experts, with Nigeria assistant coach John Bryant advocating for Voigt's presence in the NBA. Bryant commended Voigt's work ethic and knowledge of the game, stating that he is capable of coaching at the highest level.
Although Voigt's playing career in the NBA may not have been extensively documented, his coaching journey has been a remarkable one, impacting teams and players across the globe. His ability to lead, strategize, and adapt to different basketball cultures has solidified his reputation as a respected coach, both domestically and internationally.
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The 2016 Summer Olympics
The Olympic cauldron was lit by long-distance runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, who won a bronze medal in the men's marathon at the 2004 Olympics and received the IOC's Pierre de Coubertin medal for sportsmanship after being attacked by a spectator during the race. A public cauldron was also lit in front of the Candelária Church by 14-year-old Brazilian athlete Jorge Gomes, who had escaped poverty to train as a runner.
The United States topped the medal table, winning the most gold medals (46) and the highest number of medals overall (121). American swimmer Michael Phelps won the most gold medals at the games with five, and the most total medals with six (five gold and one silver). This marked the fourth consecutive Summer Olympic Games in which Phelps led all athletes in gold and total medals. Great Britain finished second and became the first country to increase its medal tally in the Summer Olympiad immediately after being the host nation. China finished third, and host nation Brazil won its highest number of medals at any Olympics, finishing in thirteenth place.
William "Will" Voigt, an American basketball coach, coached in the 2016 Summer Olympics. Voigt has held various coaching roles at the professional, minor league, and collegiate levels in the United States and other countries. He spent a season as an assistant coach for the Shanxi Brave Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association before being selected to lead the Nigerian national team at AfroBasket 2015, where Nigeria won its first title and qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
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Voigt's time in the Chinese Basketball Association
William Voigt, born on August 18, 1976, is an American basketball coach with a diverse coaching career spanning across different leagues and countries. One notable stint in Voigt's international coaching journey was his time in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
The CBA is the top-tier men's professional basketball league in China, with a structure that includes a geographic designation, a corporate sponsor name, and a nickname in the team names. Voigt spent a season as an assistant coach for the Shanxi Brave Dragons in the CBA, marking his first foray into coaching in China.
During his time with the Shanxi Brave Dragons, Voigt gained valuable experience in the Chinese basketball landscape and had the opportunity to work with local players and navigate the unique dynamics of the league. The CBA is known for its unique format, with teams bearing corporate sponsor names that can change from year to year, or even in the middle of the season. This dynamic presents a distinct challenge for coaches and team management.
Although Voigt's specific achievements or challenges during his time with the Shanxi Brave Dragons are not widely documented, his impact on the team and their performance during that season would have undoubtedly contributed to his growing reputation as a capable coach. Voigt's tenure with the Shanxi Brave Dragons served as a stepping stone in his international coaching career, which later took him to countries like Nigeria, Angola, and Egypt.
Following his season with the Shanxi Brave Dragons, Voigt's coaching career continued to flourish. He was selected to lead the Nigerian national team at AfroBasket 2015, guiding them to their first title and qualification for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Voigt's international experience further expanded with roles in Angola, the Philippines, and Germany, showcasing his ability to adapt to different basketball cultures and environments.
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Nigerian national team's 2015 AfroBasket win
William Voigt, an American basketball coach, was selected to lead the Nigerian national team at AfroBasket 2015. This was the 28th edition of the AfroBasket, a men's basketball continental championship of Africa, which also served as the qualifying tournament for FIBA Africa at the 2016 Summer Olympics Basketball Tournament in Brazil.
Nigeria won its first AfroBasket title, beating Angola 74-65 in the final. Chamberlain Oguchi was named tournament MVP. This win also meant that Nigeria automatically qualified for the 2016 Olympics.
The road to the final was not an easy one. Nigeria had to overcome a strong Tunisian side in the semi-finals, winning 65-48, to set up a final against Angola, who had beaten Senegal in the other semi-final. The final was a tightly contested game, with Nigeria eventually pulling away to secure the victory and the AfroBasket 2015 title.
Voigt's achievement with the Nigerian national team is a testament to his coaching abilities, and it opened up further opportunities for him to coach at the highest levels of basketball. After his stint with Nigeria, Voigt went on to coach in Angola, the Philippines, and Germany, before returning to the United States to coach in the NBA G League and the NCAA.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Voigt, born on August 18, 1976, is an American basketball coach. He has held various coaching roles at different levels of the sport in the US and abroad.
Will Voigt has had a distinguished coaching career. Some of his notable achievements include:
- Coaching in the 2016 Summer Olympics
- Leading the Nigerian national team to their first AfroBasket title in 2015
- Guiding Zamalek of the Egyptian Basketball Super League to third place in the 2022 BAL Playoffs
- Serving as head coach of the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League
As of 2024, Will Voigt is an assistant coach for the Brigham Young University (BYU) men's basketball team.
No, Will Voigt also played basketball and soccer during his time at Cabot High School, Vermont. He later attended Pomona College in California, where he played soccer and graduated with a degree in political science. Voigt then transitioned into coaching roles, starting with an internship with the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers and later becoming a video coordinator with the San Antonio Spurs.
