I said at the start of the season I think he'll end up at SEM next season. He tried to get a contract extension from the Hawks they wouldn't give it to him now his mate Kordahi has left and Mitchell is out of contract at SEM like Goorj. I know SEM said they want to re-sign Mitchell they've had all season to do that so far nothing announced.

I'd say it potentially goes a bit further. He mentions the Boomers as well. It seems like he may be considering his career overall. More pressing to me would be who is the best replacement for the Boomers should Goorj step down before the world cup/olympic cycle.

Caporn perhaps

He's 70 next year. Pretty old for a professional sports coach

About the same age as Lindsay Gaze when he stood down

Wayne Bennett (NRL), Hubie Brown (NBA), Jerry Sloan (NBA), Pop (NBA) are a few that come to mind as older coaches

But I can't recall many that coach to 70 plus, it's an exhausting and demanding job.

Maybe there's some health issues in the background, who knows

I thought SEM had signed Mitchell? If not, I'd love to see Goorj coach there for 2 or 3 years, finish with a title and sail off into retirement, that would be a great way to finish. A swept semi final doesn't fit the brilliance of this guy and his contribution to the NBL

Although, if it's a choice between NBA and Boomers, I'd rather he leave NBL and sail off after leading the Boomers to gold in Paris!

NBL* and Boomers

He seems to still have a lot of energy and vigor for an older coach though:

https://www.hoops.com.au/forum/50023-goorj-timeout/

It does sound like it could be a choice between NBL and Boomers in the way he worded it but my question is why? Wouldnt' they want the Boomers coach to be consistently coaching? Or is BA now asking more of Goorj, that he'd spend time in the states during the season staying in touch with the players or trying to somehow talk Ben Simmons into a role? In a choice between Illawarra and the Boomers the choice would clearly have to be the Boomers you'd think. But given his age BA would be wise to have a clear successor in mind to carry this thing forward. Matty Neilsen, Trevor Gleeson, Caporn spring to mind. Dark horses might be Rob Beveridge, Dean Vickerman... and why not throw a complete left-field suggestion out there - Scott Roth?

Maybe it's unfair, but I wonder in the NBL how well Roth's approach would work with a more talented side. Maybe just fine if the guys buy in. Sort of feel that assuming the same Boomers spirit carries over as the new guys slot in it's the one group where, despite the immense talent, they would check their egos at the door and play their roles like Roth has the JJs playing. It's an interesting idea.

My preference would be to see Goorj commit to just the national team though if it's an option. At his age it might be a much steadier gig with more down time.

If I'm Perth this is a great chance to get rid of Morrison and get a real coach

The release to me sounds as though he's out the door with his eyes on another spot.

SEM would be a fitting spot. Bogut said weeks ago they’d reappointed Mitchell. Obvs nothing to that effect has been announced. If I’m Tommy, I’m doing everything I can to lure Goorj back to the capital of hoops.

I don't know who SEM has under contract next year, but they have put together very one dimensional offensive teams so far, minus having a guy like Cleveland to try and make up for the deficiencies elsewhere. Goorj might find it a pretty familiar spot unless he is able to come in and build the team how he wants.

Disregarding roster, why wouldn't he go there. Better resources, support, venue, city.

He has a house in Melbourne as well.

Just from an NBL history POV I think it would be cool if he finished up back in Melbourne.
(Would be even nicer if that could happen after a little longer in Wollongong though. I like the way things have turned around there)

Goorg unlucky missing out ,just beaten by better teams ,hawks have a good team just pity they had to play Sydney.
Hope Goorg can go on one more season

I can't imagine how frustrating it would be for Goorj having to coach XRM. I feel for the guy.

I gotta say, he's been great but at times he's looked a little old n tired, certainly not used to seeing him like that, he's been deferring to Jakomas a lot also, never seen Goorj defer to assistants before, been watching him for 30 years...

In terms of a Boomers replacement its Gleeson then daylight, more daylight, and then even more daylight...

Capron and Nielson can be AC

I noticed that with Jakomas also but thought he was probably working on developing him also as a head coach.

The current older brigade hate Gleeson so that isn't happening

"The current older brigade hate Gleeson so that isn't happening"

The older brigade would be well on their way to being washed up by the next Olympics so it should be more about the next generation

Liam Santa says he doesn't think Goorj will return to Illawarra next season. I think it will be SEM.

"In terms of a Boomers replacement its Gleeson then daylight, more daylight, and then even more daylight..."

After the way Beveridge had the team playing on a couple of training sessions in Feb he would certainly have impressed those who make the decisions. He has long-standing relationships with many in the current team too.

Beveridge or Vickerman would be my picks. Gleeson has the credentials but positions like this require building relationships with the NBA guys to keep them involved and engaged in the program and a certain degree of ego massaging.

I hope Goorj stays on with the Boomers until after Paris. I would personally contribute cash to BA's account if needed for him to do the Boomers gig alone.

If he steps down then I would like Bevo to take over. Gleeson is obviously a talented coach, but I wouldnt want someone who's primary focus is an NBA team as that leaves little time for international ball.

Bevo is a strange one. Has good coaching results seemingly everywhere he's been, yet most nbl clubs don't seem interested in him. Why is that

Is he interested in them? I wondered if he'd moved on from the game, or the game had moved past him?

A good Euro coach would be a good option, but they don't come cheap.

Bevo is a strange one. Has good coaching results seemingly everywhere he's been, yet most nbl clubs don't seem interested in him. Why is that

"The older brigade would be well on their way to being washed up by the next Olympics so it should be more about the next generation"

So you dont think Patty Mills and Ingles will be highly prominent players come Paris? I also think Baynes could be as well depending how he bounced back

What like Shamir Hoopie lol

https://nbl.com.au/news/jackomas-takes-over-hawks-reigns-from-mentor-goorjian


Goorj is stepping aside from coaching the Hawks but will be manager of basketball operations . Is remaining coach of the Boomers. Interesting decision.

Welcome to Perth

Sebastian, I said "good". Like a top or second-tier Serbian, Croatian, French, etc. Not an NBA coach cos Euro style is closer to ours and most other teams.

I've never thought of Goorj as 70 years old, but it would fit the timeline.

I’d like to see him coach the Boomers including NBA players. Let Nielsen or the chosen successor coach the NBL Boomers in qualification and local tournaments.

The chosen successor would depend upon BA having a well thought out succession plan. Not sure about that.