Transformation. New head coaches

The VTB United League and Sport-Express are releasing a new series, titled Transformation. Each feature will focus on offseason activity in the league, highlighting individuals that will transform the league's profile in the coming season. We begin with the league's five new head coaches.

Georgios Bartzokas, Lokomotiv-Kuban (Russia)

Citizenship: Greece
Former Clubs: Olympia Larissa (Greece, 2006-2009), Maroussi (Greece, 2009-2010), Panionios (Greece, 2010-2012), Olympiacos (Greece, 2012-2014)
Replacing: Sergei Bazarevich

Sergei Bazarevich's Lokomotiv-Kuban featured exciting, up-tempo offense last season, but came up short in decisive VTB United League and Eurocup games, missing out on the finals in both competitions. Krasnodar was eliminated in the Eurocup quarterfinals by UNICS and dropped a VTB United League playoff semifinals series to Khimki after leading 2-1 with a chance to advance at home. As a result, Kuban's front office made the difficult decision to part ways with one of Russia's top coaches.

Bazarevich has been replaced by one of the most successful European coaches in recent years. Georgios Bartzokas took over at Olympia Larissa in 2006 and led the team to its first Greek league playoff berth in his first season. He was named head coach at Maroussi in 2009, helping the club win the Euroleague qualifying tournament and advance to the competition's Top 16. Maroussi also finished 3rd in the Greek league. Bartzokas was named coach of the year in Greece for his efforts.

Bartzokas replaced Dusan Ivkovic at Olympiacos in 2012 and led the Greek powerhouse to a Euroleague championship, while receiving Euroleague Coach of the Year honors. Olympiacos also went on win FIBA's Intercontinental Cup. Bartzokas has been successful at every level and he's the perfect coach right now for ambitious Lokomotiv-Kuban, which is hungry for big wins.

Quote: "To be honest, I'm someone who believes in getting things done, not talking. I'm very happy to be part of a club like Lokomotiv-Kuban and help the team reach its goals in the VTB United League and Euroleague. The team's return to Europe's most prestigious competition is a big deal and Loko needs to prove it deserves to be among the elite. For that reason, this is the first and last time you'll hear the word 'I' from me. There shouldn't be any 'I' on a team. From now on, it's just 'we'."

Brad Greenberg, Avtodor (Russia)

Citizenship: USA
Former Clubs: Radford (NCAA, 2007-2011), Bocaneros de la Gueira (Venezuela, 2011-2012), Maccabi Haifa (Israel, 2012-2013), Hapoel Jerusalem (Israel, 2013-2014), Eskisehir (Turkey, 2014-2015)
Replacing: Vladimir Rodionov/Vladimir Antsiferov

Avtodor made two coaching changes during its debut season in the league and finished the season with president Vladimir Rodionov in charge. Saratov, nonetheless, had a very successful campaign, reaching the league playoffs. Now the Black-Whites are looking for stability and a firm hand at the head coaching position in order to build on that success.

Avtodor expects to have found that in Brad Greenberg, who has more than 30 years of experience in the NBA, NCAA, South American and Europe as a coach, scout and executive. The American became an assistant coach when he was 22 years old and worked in that role for 10 years. He then had various front office roles in the NBA and NCAA for 16 seasons. As general manager of the Philadelphia 76'ers in 1996, he drafted the legendary Allen Iverson.

Greenberg went back to coaching in 2003 and he's worked in Europe since 2012, finding success everywhere he goes. Maccabi Haifa won the Israeli league in his first season, knocking off Maccabi Tel Aviv in the playoff finals, while Eskisehir enjoyed victories over Efes, Galatasaray, Banvit, Besiktas and Darussafaka. He's a perfect fit for upstart Saratov, especially since he preaches up-tempo, high-octane offense, trusts his men and isn't afraid to give young players on his team a chance.

Quote: "It's very exciting to have a chance to coach Avtodor, a team with a rich history and the best fans in the VTB United League. Club owner Vladimir Rodionov has developed a lot of talented Russian players in the past two decades. This is a challenge and a captivating opportunity to work as a coach in a world-class league with a club that has serious ambitions. The league is very competitive, but that's precisely what makes it so attractive. I'll do everything in my power to build on last season's progress and success."

Carlos Frade, VEF (Latvia)

Citizenship: Spain
Former Clubs: La Palma (Spain, 2010-2012), Caceres (Spain, 2012-2013), Alba Fehervar (Hungary, 2013-2015)
Replacing: Nikolai Mazur

Nikolai Mazur had worked at VEF since 2007 before being named head coach prior to the start of the 2014-2015 season. After winning the Latvian league this spring, Mazur accepted the head coaching job at Dynamo Moscow.

VEF will rely on youth in the upcoming season and signed a foreign coach for the first time in many years. Riga will be coached by Spaniard Carlos Frade, who has a lot of experience working with young players. The Black-Whites also hope that Fride can bring fresh ideas to the club. The hiring is also a big challenge for Fride, who's never coached at such a high level.

Quote: "I'm very happy to become part of a club like VEF. Riga and Latvia have rich basketball traditions and it's an honor for me to work here. VEF is well known across Europe...this is a serious team and organization as a whole. They have a good brand and wonderful selection of young players. I can't wait to start working with Latvian players in order to help them progress and improve the quality of local basketball."

Ronen Ginzburg, Nymburk (Czech Republic)

Citizenship: Israel
Former Clubs: Bnei Gertzelia (Israel, 2000-2001), Ramat Hasharon (Israel, 2001-2004), Bnei Hasharon (Israel, 2004-2005), Maccabi Givat Smuel (Israel, 2005-2006), Nymburk (Czech Republic, 2010-2013).
Replacing: Kestutis Kemzura

Nymburk was coached by Kestutis Kemzura from 2013-2015. Despite two Czech championships, the Lions had little success in the VTB United League and Europe and decided to part ways with the Lithuanian coach this summer.

Kemzura has been replaced by Ronen Ginzburg, who needs no introductions. The Israeli coach was hired by Nymburk in 2006, serving assistant for four seasons before being named head coach in 2010. He coached the club for three seasons, winning the Czech league all three years, while leading the Lions to the Eurocup quarterfinals. Ginzburg is also head coach of the Czech national team, which is preparing for September's 2015 EuroBasket.

Quote: "I'm very happy to return to Nymburk and thankful to club management for believing in me. It's mutual. I really missed this work and also really missed our fans. Nymburk has become a true family for me over the years. I left the club two years ago without any negative feelings. Now we are starting a new era. There are a lot of changes ahead due in part to the necessity of making the roster younger."

Oleg Okulov, Enisey (Russia)

Citizenship: Russia
Former Clubs: Baltika (Russia, 1997-1998), Spartak St. Petersburg (Russia, 2006-2007), Liepaja (Latvia, 2008-2009), Severstal (Russia, 2009-20011), Ural (Russia, 2011-2015)
Replacing: Stevan Karadzic

Stevan Karadzic's second tenure at Enisey did not bring the desired result. Krasnoyarsk worked hard in free agency the past two summer and put together competitive rosters, but could not live up to expectations. While the Siberian club reached the VTB United League playoffs in 2014, getting swept by Krasnye Krylia in the first round, the team finished just 11th in 2015.

His replacement, Oleg Okulov, coached at Superleague club Ural from 2011-2015. Ekaterinburg won the league twice (2012 and 2013), while reaching the EuroChallenge quarterfinals in 2014. Ural just missed out another in 2015, finishing 4th in the Superleague, despite serious financial troubles.

Okulov is strict and direct as a coach. He knows how to instill discipline and help his team reach its full potential.

Quote: "I was entrusted with coaching Spartak St. Petersburg at one time. I think that I had a decent first year there, but everything didn't go well in the second season. It was clear that I didn't have enough experience, which I why I had to go to another country and then spend eight years in the Superleague. With time, like any person with ambitions, I wanted to return to a bigger league. Any coach who doesn't want to win as much as possible is no good. I'm happy that Enisey's front office has decided to entrust me with the team. This is a chance for me to prove that I can work at the highest level."