NBLG
Years ago
Melbourne United Basketball Club have recently announced that they have signed 61 year old Dean Demopoulos to be the new head coach on a two-year deal.
Doug
Years ago
http://downtownball.net/2015/04/dean-demopoulos-coach-melbourne-united-nbl/
Deano
Years ago
Article by Roy Ward SMH on Dean Demopoulos
http://www.smh.com.au/sport
LC
Years ago
And more here:
Dean Demopoulos named new Melbourne United head coach
Pretty good resume. 18yrs head coach in college plus stints as an assistant in the NBA.
61 years old.
Great resume but why cant we develop and promote our own coaches...
He has only been a head coach for 1 college season and was an assistant for 17. He sounds like a 61 year old assistant coach who United has jumped at because he has NBA experience.
From his wiki - this doesn't impress me "Demopoulos is known as an expert in zone defenses having years of experience with the famed Temple zone defines."
That sounds like boring basketball.
LC
Years ago
That is my only concern about him - his lack of head coaching experience.
I still think that there are a host of just as good options in Australia. However I think they are also trying to tap into his network.
i like the hire, glad that united got someone with experience in nba and college systems even though it may be as an assistant it's better than anything else we have down under. Here is hoping united make the right decisions with their on feild talent now. get a centre who can rebound and play defence and put kickert in the stretch 4 position. and get a decent point guard who can distribute and knock down some jumpers.
Even 30 years coaching with a 35 second shot clock gives him nothing exceptional.
I find it astounding that people who've never heard of the guy can do a quick Google search and form an opinion that he's not a good hire.
Isaac
Years ago
Great resume but why cant we develop and promote our own coaches...We almost always do. Meanwhile, do you want the league rid of imports?
So many experts who have so little knowledge other than Google.
GWB
Years ago
I don't see why people are against this. The NBL has been recycling the same 10 or so coaches for a long time now. Nothing wrong with new blood.
People just like to complain for the sake of complaining. Its so odd to even form a negative based opinion of him at this point, accept for the sake of being negative... basketball fans.
I still can't believe the spectres hired goorjin in 1988. The under 18s coach at the time was ready.
Marcus Camby
Years ago
Don't care who long he has been head coach or his age, wish him all the best in putting a competitive team on the floor, for the sake of the NBL.
Haz
Years ago
A marketing component to tap into Melbourne's large Greek population?
LC
Years ago
I think with any change there is the unknown.
Right now, he is unproven as a head coach. The facts back that up although I believe he should have enough experience to pull through. But that is the obvious weakness in his resume. Calling out the facts.
As for a potential coach from the ranks in Australia, there are some great coaches coming up through state league levels (i.e. SEABL etc) that one would hope would get a chance at some stage in the future. After all, it is not just about building pathways for players, but also coaches (and officials).
orbit
Years ago
Paul Woolpert has had NBA asst coaching experience. U all like him?
Sounds like a 'Rod Popp' type who might struggle if anyone has an opinion or answers back. Never lets the players play & has to control every moment.
Expert in zone is like being a barrister - wank career title!!
Rod Popp is still a head coach. How I don't know.
rjd
Years ago
It's not like United has a long history of making good decisions.
I won't write off the guy yet, but this is another odd decision IMO.
paul
Years ago
Interesting selection. Will his vast experience in the NBA system help him more than his lack of head coaching experience will hurt him? Will the new approach he brings offset his lack of knowledge of this competition?
I think he starts behind the eight-ball because the other coaches have such an intimate knowledge of the competition, but that doesn't mean he won't be a good coach. Time will tell.
Thunder Jam
Years ago
Why are they against it you say?
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