After three years as the club's lead assistant coach, the Saskatchewan Rattlers have promoted Eric Magdanz to head coach. The native of Lloydminster, who calls Saskatoon home, joined the Rattlers ahead of the 2022 season and helped lead them to a quarterfinal berth.
Rattlers’ General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Barry Rawlyk says the decision to promote Magdanz became very clear to him.
“Eric has spent the last three seasons with the Rattlers as Lead Assistant, and the feedback about his performance I have received from the players and his colleagues has been glowing.”
Rawlyk added that the promotion is an opportunity to grow the game within the province.
“(Magdanz) and his family are well established in the community, and his year-round proximity will help the Rattlers organization to further support the development of basketball in Saskatchewan.”
Growing up in Lloydminster, Magdanz played high school basketball, which led him to play at the U SPORTS level at McMaster University. Following his playing career, he served as an assistant coach with the University of Alberta for two seasons, leading the 2012 team to a CanWest Championship and a second-place finish in the U SPORTS final. Magdanz served as MacEwan University's head coach for seven seasons.
“I’m humbled and grateful that the Rattlers have entrusted me as the head coach. Representing our province is an honour, and I look forward to bringing the Championship back to Saskatchewan.”
Magdanz has also worked in various roles alongside Basketball Alberta, Basketball Saskatchewan, and the Senior Women’s National Team.
The Rattlers' season tips off on May 15.
