The Oita HeatDevils have upgraded Tadaharu Ogawa's job title. He is no longer the assistant coach; he's now the team's new head coach, the bj-league team has announced.
Ogawa played for the team during its first two seasons in the bj-league and also served as an assistant to Dai Oketani, who was fired after his team's 19-25 season in 2007-08. The Ryukyu Golden Kings have hired Oketani as head coach for the upcoming season.
Ogawa, who turns 39 in December, also suited up for the Niigata Albirex BB during his playing days as a forward.
The HeatDevils gave Ogawa a one-year contract, which is standard for the league's coaches and players.