Mike Kelly to join coaching staff

The @PerthWildcats have named Mike Kelly Associate Head Coach for the next two seasons

The NBL20 Coach of the Year heads west after most recently leading the Cairns Taipans for the past three seasons.

Perth are still expected to appoint a Head Coach ahead of #NBL22

— The NBL (@NBL) July 26, 2021

What the hell is an associate head coach?

lead assistant^

I think that's a way of saying that we want SOMEBODY in the chair so we can start our pre-season, whilst still searching/waiting for somebody better qualified.

He seemed to be well respected at MU, so I'm happy enough with him in that role.
Hopefully some players to follow.

It's really an NBA type role, the Associate Head Coach is the next in command from the head coach, ahead of all the other assistant coaches.

I am not sure if there are any similar positions at any other NBL team. They generally dont have many assistant coaches like an NBA team.

Maybe the Wildcats are concerned that it may take awhile to fill teh head coach role, so atleast put someone in charge who has an idea how it works in the NBL and has some contacts for scouting imports.

I thought Mike Kelly was a pretty solid coach for the Taipans, so not a bad pickup for the Wildcats.

I find it strange they've hired an Associate Head Coach before hiring the actual HC - surely the actual HC had a say in this?

Just a theory... But could it be we have agreed to terms with a new Head Coach but it can't be announced yet because they are currently coaching elsewhere, and can't get back to Perth for the announcement... I'm thinking Matty Nielsen.

Surely the new Head Coach would want a say in who his lead assistant is going to be, and if it was Nielsen. He could have approved the Kelly signing form Tokyo.

We already have thousands of assistants on the bench so may as well have two head coaches.

If we are hiring a head coach level person as an assistant they must have a big name overseas gut ready for the head role. Kelly knows the league, players, refs coaches etc. Good get as an assistant (associate)

Always seemed a high class player and straight shooter so if we go for a young / up coming head coach he would be good support structure move. Would assume Bob Thornton, who was a Gleeson mentor, is gone then.

Mike Brown was "associate head coach" at Warriors. Basically filled in as head when Kerr wasn't there. Maybe this is a simple case of he’s the head coach until a better option is found or he delivers results, where he would then be elevated. Seems like money saving for the new owners possibly and also a way to connect the league to the prestige of NBA?

Yeah this is a pretty good sign of things to come for Wildcats fans. Mike Kelly is obviously HC material so for him to go back down to take an assistant coach position suggests they've got a pretty big fish lined up who for whatever reason can't be announced just yet. He's also likely there to help show an inexperienced HC the ropes.

I too would be thinking Matt Nielsen currently on the Boomers coaching staff in Tokyo might be the one.

Hard to say with Nielsen. His family was settled in Perth, and they basically moved just before Covid hit. That might be a strain, but where's his wife from?
As they say, Happy Wife = Happy Life

His wife is from Perth.

What's happened to the great big guy who was Trev's assistant this year. He has NBA experience, been around Trev for a year and knows his system. The Cats wouldn't have brought him out from the USA if he was a dud and he wouldn't have come out here for the money, I assume. Maybe Trev's given him the bums rush, but I would have thought he'd be the obvious choice.

Good dude. Really good dude. One of the most pure bball people I've ever known.

Will fit in at Perth.

He has NBA experience, been around Trev for a year and knows his system.

I got the impression Bob essentially came out of retirement for the Perth job.
I'm not sure if he's even still in Perth, somebody said he'd gone back to America???

Lol Anon says that Nielson is a done deal...then cancels themself out by saying Nielson has zero interest.

Anon's split personality makes it hard to take them seriously but does make for some fun reading.

I would have been pleased if Kelly was announced as the head coach. He's a very good coach it will be interesting to see who will be named head coach.

I cant see machado playing for the cats with Norton their starting PG and future captain.

We already have thousands of assistants on the bench so may as well have two head coaches.

I see what you did there.

Good signing.

Wildcats has a culture for being a great defensive team and with Mike Kelly being a legendary defender himself (watch him put the clamps on prime Gaze) then you'd imagine the defensive reputation isn't changing with Mike around.

So we have head coaches, associate head coaches and whatever Dan Shamir is (director of coaching I think it is)... strange job titles these days

So we have head coaches, associate head coaches and whatever Dan Shamir is (director of coaching I think it is)... strange job titles these days

no neilson aint komin in as HC so stop speculatin .. almost a done deal LOL

where do u people make your shxt up

HC is an American. Forget Matty.

According to the West Australian but rest of the story is blocked behind a paywall

"Perth Wildcats have appointed former assistant coach Matt Nielsen and ex-Australian Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis to an Advisory Committee"

If Kelly is our assistant coach oops I mean associate coach then that's a good signing can only imagine we have a big fish lined up for actual head coach.

No we don't, that's the point.
We've appointed Kelly as AHC, so that we can keep moving forward, whilst searching for a new coach.

He is the acting head coach, until we find somebody better. Hopefully it means the club can push ahead with signing players.

Why would Neilson give up his great job for a downgrade? He

Hire to play you say> Yeah, at this rate it might come down to that!