Hapoel Jerusalem signed Danny Franco to a two-year deal to become the team’s head coach. Franco replaces Brad Greenberg on the team’s bench. Franco, 40, arrives from Maccabi Haifa Bazan, which he led to the Eurocup last 32 and the Israeli League finals last season. Franco’s Haifa knocked Jerusalem out in the Israeli semifinals. He is a well-respected coach in Israel, who has led three different teams to the playoffs in the last three seasons. His coaching resume includes stops at GreenTops Netanya, Hapoel Holon, Hapoel Galil Elyon, Gilboa/Afula/Migdal Haemek and Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan. Franco has also coached the Israeli U16 and U18 national teams. He helped Ramat Gan to win the Israeli second division in 2005 - his first season as head coach - and also lifted the Israeli Cup trophy with Holon in 2009.