Sendai 89ERS: Head Coach Ochiai Yoshiro’s Contract Terminated
- A professional basketball team has announced that it has mutually agreed to terminate the contract of Head Coach Yoshiro Ochiai.
- Assistant Coach Igor Djaletic will assume the role of head coach, beginning with the away game against Utsunomiya on wednesday, March 26.
- Igor Djaletic, formerly an assistant coach for the team, will take over as head coach effective immediatly.
Basketball Team Announces Coaching Change
Table of Contents
Published: March 25, 2025
A professional basketball team has announced that it has mutually agreed to terminate the contract of Head Coach Yoshiro Ochiai.
Assistant Coach Igor Djaletic will assume the role of head coach, beginning with the away game against Utsunomiya on wednesday, March 26.
New Head Coach Appointed
Igor Djaletic, formerly an assistant coach for the team, will take over as head coach effective immediatly.
Djaletic was born on Sept. 27, 1971, in Montenegro. His previous experience includes:
- 2011-15: Assistant coach for Buducnost Voli (Montenegro)
- 2013-15: Assistant coach for Montenegro Women’s national Team
- 2015-17: Head Coach for Buducnost Voli (Montenegro)
- 2017-18: assistant coach for Buducnost voli (montenegro)
- 2018-19: Assistant Coach for Zielona Gora (Poland)
- 2019-22: Assistant Coach/Scouting Coach for Alvark Tokyo
- 2022-24: assistant Coach for Yokohama B Corsairs
- 2024: Assistant Coach for the team
This is not the turn of events I was hoping for when I joined the team,especially regarding our current results and the coaching change that followed. It’s a difficult situation, but as a professional, I have accepted the role of head coach. My duty is to work with the players and together to do our best.We are focused on work, there are big challenges ahead of us and we will do everything to achieve the best possible result, irrespective of the circumstances and injuries we have in the team.Igor Djaletic, New Head Coach
Former Head Coach Departs
The team and Yoshiro Ochiai mutually agreed to terminate his contract. Details of his tenure include:
- 2005-09: Assistant Coach, Hakuoh University Men’s Basketball Club
- 2009-10: Head Coach, Link Tochigi Brex Lower Development Team (later TGI-D RISE)
- 2010-13: head Coach, TGI-D RISE
- 2013-14: Assistant Coach, Hakuoh University Men’s Basketball Club
- 2014-17: Manager, Hakuoh University Men’s Basketball Club
- 2017-18: Head coach, Hakuoh University Men’s Basketball Club
- 2018-24: Assistant Coach, Team
- 2024-25: Head Coach, Team
As head coach, I feel responsible for not being able to maximize the strength of the players and delivering the expected victory to everyone. It was a great support for you to encourage and offer warm words at any time. The players and team staff are a group that can always face forward and fight. I believe that from here onwards they will show us more fighting. we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of you for giving us the opportunity to coach.Yoshiro Ochiai,Former Head Coach
Statement from Team CEO
The team’s CEO,Takehiko Shimura,addressed the coaching change and the team’s performance.
Although it is mid-season, the contract has been terminated under agreement with head coach Ochiai Yoshiro. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to everyone, and for the loss. From now on,we will be taking on every game that is right in front of us,and will continue to fight. With 16 games remaining, the team will continue to win more than ever before, and will prepare best. We hope that all the fans will come to the venue, inspire our team and push our players towards us. We look forward to your continued support.Takehiko Shimura, Team CEO
Basketball Team Announces Coaching Change: Your Top Questions Answered
Introduction: A New Era for the Team
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the recent coaching changes within the team. We’ll delve into the details, providing answers to your most pressing questions about the transition and what it means for the team’s future.
Who is the New Head Coach?
Q: Who is the new head coach of the team?
A: Igor Djaletic has been appointed as the new head coach, effective immediately. He was formerly an assistant coach for the team.
Q: What is Igor Djaletic’s experience?
A: Igor Djaletic has an extensive coaching background, including:
2011-15: Assistant coach for Buducnost Voli (Montenegro)
2013-15: Assistant coach for Montenegro Women’s national Team
2015-17: Head Coach for Buducnost Voli (Montenegro)
2017-18: Assistant coach for Buducnost voli (Montenegro)
2018-19: Assistant Coach for Zielona Gora (Poland)
2019-22: Assistant Coach/Scouting Coach for Alvark Tokyo
2022-24: Assistant Coach for Yokohama B Corsairs
2024: Assistant Coach for the team
What is the Coaching Transition Plan?
Q: When did the new head coach take over?
A: Igor Djaletic took over as head coach immediately. His first game will be the away game against Utsunomiya on wednesday, March 26.
What happened to the Former Head Coach?
Q: Why did yoshiro Ochiai leave his position?
A: The team and Yoshiro Ochiai mutually agreed to terminate his contract.
Q: What was Yoshiro Ochiai’s coaching history?
A: Yoshiro Ochiai’s experience includes:
2005-09: Assistant Coach, Hakuoh University Men’s Basketball Club
2009-10: Head Coach, Link Tochigi Brex Lower Advancement Team (later TGI-D RISE)
2010-13: head Coach, TGI-D RISE
2013-14: Assistant Coach, Hakuoh University Men’s Basketball Club
2014-17: Manager, Hakuoh University Men’s Basketball Club
2017-18: Head coach, Hakuoh University Men’s basketball Club
2018-24: Assistant Coach, Team
2024-25: Head Coach, Team
What are the Key Statements from the Team?
Q: What has the new head coach said about the change?
A: Igor Djaletic stated, “This is not the turn of events I was hoping for when I joined the team, especially regarding our current results and the coaching change that followed. It’s a arduous situation, but as a professional, I have accepted the role of head coach. My duty is to work wiht the players and together to do our best.We are focused on work, there are big challenges ahead of us and we will do everything to achieve the best possible result, irrespective of the circumstances and injuries we have in the team.”
Q: What were the departing coach’s thoughts?
A: Yoshiro Ochiai said, “As head coach, I feel responsible for not being able to maximize the strength of the players and delivering the expected victory to everyone. It was a great support for you to encourage and offer warm words at any time. The players and team staff are a group that can always face forward and fight. I believe that from here onwards they will show us more fighting. we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of you for giving us the possibility to coach.”
Q: What did the Team CEO say?
A: Takehiko Shimura, Team CEO, stated, “Although it is mid-season, the contract has been terminated under agreement with head coach ochiai Yoshiro. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to everyone, and for the loss. From now on, we will be taking on every game that is right in front of us, and will continue to fight. With 16 games remaining, the team will continue to win more than ever before, and will prepare best. We hope that all the fans will come to the venue, inspire our team and push our players towards us. We look forward to your continued support.”
Coaching Change Summary
| Key Figures | Details |
| ——————– | ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————- |
| new Head Coach | Igor Djaletic |
| Former Head Coach | Yoshiro Ochiai |
| Transition Date | Effective Immediately, First game March 26. |
| Team focus | The team is committed to moving forward, and the CEO hopes fans will continue to support the team, and push the team forward despite the difficult situation. |