New coach bids to make a Marc with the Eagles
MARC Steutel is ‘overjoyed’ to take on one of the biggest jobs in British basketball after landing a dream return to Newcastle Eagles.
The ambitious playcaller has pledged to deliver a team the club’s fans can be proud of as he bids to put the men in black back where they belong.
Steutel is convinced Newcastle is the ‘right club at the right time’ after returning to the organisation which launched his coaching career.
Great Britain’s acting head coach has also reassured Eagles fans he can comfortably combine his national team commitments with restoring the Tynesiders’ reputation as the top flight’s team to beat.
He said: “Every step of my coaching journey has involved significant touch points with Newcastle Eagles.
“That is why I am overjoyed to be the new head coach.
“Timing is everything and it really does feel like the right moment for me to be making this move.
“I am 37, a British coach and really proud of what I have achieved so far - but this feels like the first step on the next stage of my coaching journey.
“Everything I am as a person and as a coach has led me to this point and I can promise the Newcastle fans nobody will outwork me.
“I will do everything in my power to give the city, the club and its supporters a basketball team they can be proud of.”
Steutel returns to Newcastle after initially impressing as a junior coach within the Eagles’ Community Foundation.
He steps up to the head coach’s position after spending a year shadowing former playcaller Fabulous Flournoy in the assistant’s role during the 2009-10 season.
Steutel, of course, has enjoyed two winning returns to the Vertu Motors Arena since 2020 after helming Great Britain’s historic wins against Germany and Greece.
Yet one of the most familiar faces on the region’s basketball scene cannot wait to get to work rebuilding the reputation of the UK’S most successful top-flight franchise.
The adopted Geordie added: “My role with Great Britain is something managing-director Paul Blake and I have discussed at length.
“For as long as I have the opportunity to be a part of the national team set-up we both feel it is a situation which can be mutually beneficial.
“Of course, my primary focus will be on the Eagles this summer and I cannot wait to start recruiting a team Newcastle fans can get behind.”
Blake said: “We are excited to have Marc join the Eagles and to see what he can achieve at BBL level after consistent success both internationally and domestically.
“Marc started his coaching career with the club so we have known each other for many years and it is great to see him return.”