Longtime Bluefangs coach team’s new GM

The Daejeon Samsung Fire Bluefangs said Monday that coach Shin Chi-yong, who has led the professional volleyball club for 20 years, will move to the front office as the team’s general manager starting next month. The 59-year-old also was appointed vice president for sports team operations at Cheil Worldwide, the advertising and marketing consulting affiliate of Samsung Group.

The Bluefangs were originally run by Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, but Cheil Worldwide will take over management next month. The company already took control of Samsung Group’s football and basketball teams.

Shin was the first coach of the Bluefangs and has been writing history with the club. After winning the inaugural Korea Professional Volleyball League (V-League) title in 2005, from the 2007/08 season to 2014/15, the team won seven straight V-League championships.

Under Shin, including semi-pro leagues, the Bluefangs haven’t missed reaching a championship series for 19 straight seasons.

But in the 2014-15 season, the team lost to Ansan OK Savings Bank Rush & Cash.

The Bluefangs said assistant coach Im Do-hun, 42, will take over for Shin. Im has worked with Shin since 2006.

BY JOO KYUNG-DON [joo.kyungdon@joongang.co.kr]