LAT/LTU – Butautas back in business

RIGA (LBL/SEB) - Former Lithuania coach Ramunas Butautas had a successful stint in Latvia from 2005-08 as the boss of ASK Riga.

Now he has returned to the country to lead ASK’s rivals, VEF Riga, for the remainder of the campaign.

The veteran has replaced Rimas Kurtinaitis, who abandoned his VEF post to coach BC Khimki in Russia’s PBL.

Kurtinaitis was an assistant to Butautas with Lithuania’s national team at EuroBasket 2007, the Beijing Olympics and EuroBasket 2009.

The two lost their positions with the national team after Lithuania won just once at the EuroBasket in Poland two years ago and failed to reach the quarter-finals.

Butautas began last season as the coach of Ukrainian side Donetsk but was let go and eventually had a stint with BC Zalgiris before parting ways with that club.

"I had wanted a year to rest, however, I couldn’t bear not having a job," Butautas said.

“I am well aware Latvian basketball …”

Kurtinaitis had hoped to take over the head coaching position of Lithuania last year but the federation appointed Kestutis Kemzura, who led a young team to the bronze medal at the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

VEF were sad to see Kurtinaitis go.

The chairman of the VEF Riga board, Edgar Jaunups, said: “During the season, the coach had several offers, but Kurtinaitis did not take any action.

“Last week he finally spoke to the club's management.

“I think it’s a once-in-a-lifetime offer.”

FIBA