FC Bayern Basketball’s coaching staff is almost complete: following the appointment of head coach Anton Gavel, it has now also been decided which assistants will be by his side. The new face on the staff as lead assistant coach is experienced coach Arne Woltmann, who already formed a successful partnership with Gavel over the past two seasons in Bamberg.
The 51-year-old is a familiar figure in German basketball. Before spending his last four years with the Baskets — including a spell as head coach from February 2004 until the end of that season — Woltmann worked for one and a half years as an assistant coach at Lithuanian EuroLeague club Zalgiris Kaunas.
From Kaunas Back to Bamberg
Following the end of his playing career, the former pro worked as an assistant under Chris Fleming in Quakenbrück (German Cup title in 2008) and later during his first stint in Bamberg (four league championships, three cup titles). From 2015 until spring 2017, he took sole charge of second-division side Cologne. That was followed by roles as managing director and later also head coach in his hometown of Bremerhaven (ProA).
Woltmann’s experience has also been called upon repeatedly by Germany’s national teams in the past: as an assistant under national team head coaches Emir Mutapcic — most recently also an FCBB assistant coach — and Henrik Rödl, as well as head coach of the A2 national team.
Herbert, Mitic and Pijanec Extend Again
The club has also tied down its proven core of Daniel Herbert, Mihajlo Mitic (assistant coaches) and Ivan Pijanec (strength and conditioning coach) for another two years each. Herbert, 31, will therefore enter his third season with the German EuroLeague side, while former FCBB youth coach Mitic, 38, is heading into his fourth. His fellow Serbian Pijanec, 33, has been putting Bayern’s pros through their paces since 2022.
Lars Masell is set for a new challenge. The assistant coach had joined Bayern at short notice at the end of December. FCBB would like to thank him for his support and wishes him all the best for the future.
Bayern’s coaching and support staff for the 2026/2027 season will also be strengthened by the addition of an individual skills coach, although the position has not yet been filled.