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Incheon S-Birds bank on new general manager to provide turnover season

Published: 19 Mar. 2026, 15:34 Updated: 19 Mar. 2026, 19:52

Former men’s national team assistant coach Seo Dong-cheol, left, is seen during a match at Wonju Gymnasium in Wonju, Gangwon on Feb. 25, 2024. Seo was appointed general manager of the Incheon Shinhan Bank S-Birds of the Women’s Korean Basketball League on March 18. [NEWS1]

Incheon Shinhan Bank S-Birds of the Women’s Korean Basketball League appointed former men’s national team assistant coach Seo Dong-cheol as its new general manager.

The club announced Seo’s appointment on Wednesday after finishing last in the 2025–26 regular season with 6 wins and 21 losses, missing the playoffs regardless of remaining results.

Seo played professionally for Samsung Electronics — now Seoul Samsung — from 1991 to 1997 and later built a wide-ranging coaching career.

He served as head coach for the Sangmu Basketball Team of the Korea Armed Forces beginning in 2003 and went on to lead Cheongju KB in the women’s league, the women’s national team, Korea University and Suwon KT in the men’s professional league.

Seo also worked as an assistant coach for Yongin Samsung Life in the women’s league, Seoul Samsung, the Orion team and both the men’s and women’s national teams.

After stepping down as head coach of KT in 2023, he served as a coach for the men’s national team until last year. This marks his first role in a front office position.

“Seo’s extensive experience and strong track record as both a player and coach were highly regarded,” Shinhan Bank said. “We believe he is the right person to lead change and innovation within the club and restore the pride of the S-Birds.”

Seo feels the weight of the role.

“I feel a great sense of responsibility taking on this important position, but I will do my best to quickly reorganize the team and ensure Shinhan Bank S-Birds become a winning team,” Seo said.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY PIH JU-YOUNG [[email protected]]