Laurent Vila to become Orléans Loiret Basket head coach

Laurent Vila is set to take over as head coach of Orléans Loiret Basket (OLB), according to recent reports. The move follows the departure of Lamine Kébé, who was dismissed after a heavy home loss to Blois on October 22. After several days of discussions and interviews, the club has reached an agreement with Vila, who previously coached Cholet Basket and SIG Strasbourg. The official announcement is expected soon, though the contract has not yet been finalized.

Interim coach's tenure ends

Vila's arrival will end the interim tenure of Pierre Tillay, who has led the team to two consecutive victories since Kébé's departure. Orléans has won matches against Levallois (93-82) and Quimper (100-71), giving the team a positive record of four wins and three losses in the ELITE 2 league.

Recruitment process included multiple candidates

The recruitment process involved several candidates, including Ali Bouziane, who was seriously considered for the position. The names of Jean-Christophe Prat and Pierre Poupet were also mentioned, though not confirmed by the club's main decision-makers.

Laurent Vila's background in French basketball

Laurent Vila, originally from Céret in the Pyrénées-Orientales, has a rich background in French basketball. He began his career in the late 1990s with Colmar, coaching the French cadets and a women's team in Nationale 1B. He later worked extensively with Élan Béarnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez, serving as director of the youth academy from 2000 to 2006 and as an assistant coach with BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque and Mans Sarthe Basket before returning to Pau.

Vila's coaching career highlights

Vila took over as head coach of Élan Béarnais in 2018 and led the team until 2021. He then moved to Cholet Basket, where he significantly enhanced the club's competitiveness in Betclic ELITE. In 2023, Cholet reached the final of the FIBA Europe Cup, and Vila was named the best coach in Betclic ELITE. He joined SIG Strasbourg in the summer of 2024 but left before the end of the 2024-2025 season.

Vila to continue with French national team

Since September 2024, Vila has been part of the French national team's coaching staff, assisting Frédéric Fauthoux. He will continue this role while taking on his new responsibilities with OLB.

Team's current challenges and recent developments

The club's current squad has faced criticism regarding its composition, particularly the lack of creators and the limited complementarity of the frontcourt players. However, the recent return of defender Lionel Kouadio has provided a significant boost to the team's defensive capabilities.

Upcoming matches and Vila's expected impact

Vila's appointment is expected to provide stability and direction to the team as they face upcoming matches against Havre on November 6 and Évreux on November 13, followed by a home game against Aix-Maurienne on November 17. The exact date of Vila's official start has not been confirmed, but it is anticipated shortly after the contract is finalized.