Gunma Crane Thunders Announce Team Staff for 2026-27 Season

Thank you always for your warm support of the Gunma Crane Thunders.

We are pleased to announce that the Gunma Crane Thunders have finalized their team staff of 17 members for the 2026-27 season.

Additional staff appointments will be announced as they are confirmed.

Coaching Staff

### Head Coach

Kyle Milling

### Associate Head Coach

Shoto Kato

### Assistant Coach / Defensive Coordinator

Ryoichi Nishitani

### Skills Coach

Takayuki Inokari

Head Coach

Kyle Milling [Continuing]

Date of Birth

July 27, 1974

Alma Mater

University of Oregon

Hometown

United States

Career

2015–17 Hyeres-Toulon Var Basket (Head Coach) 2017–19 Limoges CSP Elite (Head Coach) 2020–21 Yokohama B-Corsairs (Head Coach) 2021–24 Hiroshima Dragonflies (Head Coach) 2024– Gunma Crane Thunders (Head Coach)

Head Coach Milling's Comment:

Associate Head Coach

Shoto Kato [Continuing]

Date of Birth

July 17, 1990

Alma Mater

University of Tsukuba Graduate School

Hometown

Shizuoka Prefecture

Career

2016–17 Earth Friends Tokyo Z (Analyst) 2017–21 Yokohama B-Corsairs (Assistant Coach) 2021–24 Hiroshima Dragonflies (Assistant Coach) 2024–25 Shinshu Brave Warriors (Assistant Coach) 2025– Gunma Crane Thunders (Associate Head Coach)

[Associate Head Coach Kato's Comment] "Thank you sincerely for your tremendous support and encouragement during the 2025-26 season.

Starting from the 2026-27 season, I will be serving as the Associate Head Coach for the Gunma Crane Thunders. I am deeply honored and approach the new season with renewed determination.

We have not forgotten the regrets from last season. Using that frustration as motivation, we will dedicate ourselves each and every day toward achieving the vision of fans passionately cheering for the Gunma Crane Thunders.

Please continue to fight alongside us in the 2026-27 season! Thank you very much!"

Assistant Coach / Defensive Coordinator

Ryoichi Nishitani [Continuing]

Date of Birth

May 19, 1988

Alma Mater

Kanazawa University

Hometown

Okayama Prefecture

Career

2019–21 Kumamoto Volters (Player-Coach) 2021–22 Yokohama B-Corsairs (Assistant Coach) 2022–24 Hiroshima Dragonflies (Assistant Coach) 2024– Gunma Crane Thunders (Assistant Coach / Defensive Coordinator)

[Nishitani Assistant Coach / Defensive Coordinator Comment] "I am deeply honored to continue fighting alongside all of you as a member of the Gunma Crane Thunders for the 2026-27 season. I express my gratitude to our fans, partner companies, and everyone who supports the club.

Since joining Gunma two seasons ago, I have truly felt the club’s growth, yet our ultimate goal remains unachieved. This season, beyond on-court results, I aim to more strongly focus on building a culture that ensures the Gunma Crane Thunders remain a strong organization both on and off the court. I will deepen my understanding of the team’s purpose and role, striving to make the Gunma Crane Thunders a team you can all be proud of. Personally, I will continue growing and contributing every possible effort toward achieving our team goals.

Thank you for your passionate support of the Gunma Crane Thunders this season!"

Skills Coach

Takayuki Inokari [New]

Date of Birth

April 4, 1998

Alma Mater

Kokushikan University

Hometown

Miyagi Prefecture

Career

2022–23 Senshu University (Men's Basketball Team Skills Coach) 2023–24 Ibaraki Robots U15 (Top Team Support Coach & Youth Team Assistant Coach / Skills Coach) 2024–25 Ibaraki Robots U15 (Top Team Support Coach & Youth Team Assistant Coach) 2025–26 Ibaraki Robots (Top Team Support Coach & Youth Team Skills Coach) 2026– Gunma Crane Thunders (Skills Coach)

[Skills Coach Inokari's Comment] "My name is Takayuki Inokari, and I am honored to join the Gunma Crane Thunders.

First and foremost, I sincerely thank the Gunma Crane Thunders organization and everyone who has supported me thus far for this incredible opportunity. I am truly delighted to embark on this new challenge as a member of a club with such history and passion.

I will work alongside players and staff every day with full commitment to the team’s victory and growth. I will strive to contribute to building a team that fans can take pride in.

I look forward to meeting you all at the arena. Thank you for your passionate support."

Sports Performance Team

### Sports Performance Director

Kazuhiko Tomioka

### Head Strength & Conditioning Coach / Sports Scientist

Shota Saruwatari

### Strength & Conditioning Coach

Yoshifumi Nojima

### Director of Medical

Kokoku Yamaguchi

### Head Athletic Trainer

Kazuho Kondo

### Medical Trainers

Yuki Hara

Ho Date

Yoshihide Amano

Sports Performance Director

Kazuhiko Tomioka [New]

Date of Birth

October 16, 1971

Alma Mater

University of Florida / Rikkyo University

Hometown

Saitama Prefecture

Career

1998–01 MLB Florida Marlins Assistant (Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach) 2002–04 MLB Montreal Expos (Head Strength & Conditioning Coach) 2005–08 MLB Washington Nationals (Head Strength & Conditioning Coach) 2020–24 Japan Association of Athletics Federations Mile Relay Team (Strength & Conditioning Coach) 2020– Tokyo Frog Kings (Performance Coach) 2024– Iwaki FC (Head Strength & Conditioning Coach) 2026– Gunma Crane Thunders (Sports Performance Director)

Qualifications

Board of Certification – Athletic Trainer (BOC-ATC) NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

[Tomioka Sports Performance Director Comment] "My name is Kazuhiko Tomioka, and I am honored to join the Gunma Crane Thunders.

As Sports Performance Director, I will strive to maximize each athlete’s potential and enhance the team’s overall competitiveness. Through scientifically grounded training and recovery programs, we will build sustainable strength. Together with our fans and partners, I look forward to creating a new chapter in the history of the Gunma Crane Thunders. Thank you very much."