Membership
Bill Kauffman
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: 719-228-6800
E-Mail: bill.kauffman@usav.org
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 1, 2008) - "Jenny" Lang Ping, who announced her intention last week not to seek a contract extension with USA Volleyball as its head women's volleyball coach, has signed a contract to serve as head coach of Turk Telekom of Ankara in the Turkish professional volleyball league.
Lang Ping guided the U.S. Olympic Women's Indoor Volleyball Team to a silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing this summer, despite being under intense media scrutiny and other distractions in her hometown. Team USA had not reached the Olympic Games podium since a bronze finish at the 1992 Olympic Games. The silver medal matched its best performance reached at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, which ironically, China won with Lang Ping starring on the opposite side of the net of the Americans. She led the U.S. to a 90-49 record in her four-year tenure with the U.S. Women's National Team program.
However, Lang Ping cited the desire for a coaching position that offers more flexibility to spend time with her family as a major factor in her decision in not staying with USA Volleyball.
"I think this situation is a fit for my schedule," Lang Ping said. "The league will finish in May 2009, and I can have a lot of time with my family and daughter this summer."
According to Lang Ping, her new team finished third in the league last season. Turk Telekom is currently in first place this year with a 6-2 record and will face Galatasary, with U.S. Olympian Ogonna Nnamani, on Dec. 6 in its next match. However, Lang Ping may not be on the bench for the match.
"I think the league this season is very, very strong because a lot of great international players are playing here," Lang Ping said. "This will be another challenge for me, and I will do my best to work with the team."