Welcome to Perth

Weird
I really didn't think Goorj was ready to retire.
Is this just a way of easing him out? And then they'll "release" him when another head coaching gig comes along.

After two seasons at the helm for the Illawarra Hawks, head coach Brian Goorjian has elected to not take up his third-year option with the foundation club.

The 68-year-old, who recently brought up his 800th NBL game, will remain as the Hawks' special advisor for basketball operations.

Goorjian's long-time assistant coach Jacob Jackomas will step up into the role of Illawarra's head coach.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed my last two seasons with the Hawks, where we've performed extremely well and reached the top four on both occasions," said Goorjian, who confirms he has been approached by overseas clubs which he is exploring.

"I'm extremely proud of everything we achieved on the court and look forward to helping the club in any way I can moving forward.

"This move also allows my long-time assistant coach Jacob, who I have complete faith in, his chance to prove himself in the NBL.

"The plan was always for Jacob to succeed me at the Hawks and the club, thanks to the excellent staff and owners, is in an extremely strong position - which is really exciting for all involved.

"The strides this organisation has made in the Illawarra community over the past two seasons have been incredible and I'm excited to see what Jacob, the returning players, owners and staff can do in the coming years.

"I'd particularly like to thank, in addition to the coaching staff, high performance manager Alex Moore, team doctor Steffan Eriksson, team operations manager Joe Tertzakian, team manager Phil Driscoll and physiotherapist Scott Muttdon, from BaiMed, for their terrific work.

"I love Wollongong and want to see the fans celebrate a second championship banner very soon."

Jackomas, who became the club's 14th ever head coach during March 27's win against Melbourne due to Goorjian testing positive for COVID-19, was excited about the new challenge and to build on what he, Goorjian and Shaun Roger had built over the past two seasons.

"Everyone here has been extremely lucky to work with and learn from Brian over the past two seasons and my coaching staff's mission is to build on that moving forward," said Jackomas, who's coached alongside Goorjian for more than a decade at the Sydney Kings, Shenzhen Leopards and Shanghai Sharks before teaming up at the Hawks.

"I'm extremely excited about the opportunity presented to me because it's always been a dream of mine to coach at the highest level and the NBL is one of the top leagues around the world.

"On top of that, the core we already have here in place fires me up and I'm looking forward to adding more pieces in the coming months, as we start our quest on the NBL 23 banner."

Goorjian will remain with the Boomers, as his Tokyo bronze medal-winning squad look to build on that success at the 2023 FIBA world championships (set to be held in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines) and 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

"Basketball in this country is as strong as I've seen it, which is saying a lot as I started coaching here in the NBL in 1988," the six-time NBL champion said.

"Full credit to Larry Kestelman and the NBL office, for their superb job, particularly over the past two years with managing all the disruptions caused by COVID-19."

Hawks acting president and life member Mat Campbell said the moves were exciting for the club heading into an exciting NBL23 campaign.

"We're extremely thankful for everything Brian has done for us over the past two years - he and his staff, as well as the owners, have completely re-energised our proud club," Campbell said.

"While his involvement at the club might be a little different moving forward, we know he is supportive and always available to help in any way the club requires.

"More to that, the whole club is excited to see what Jacob and our team can do on the hardwood on NBL23."

*Will stay with Hawks as Special Advisor for Bball operations until offered Phoenix HC gig

He aint going to sem after Mitchell's extension.

SEM haven't announced Micthell's re-signing just that they intend to re-sign him, probably a fait accompli but I still wouldn't rule Goorj out for that gig he's a very shrewd operator and no doubt has something else in the works but will keep collecting cheques from the Hawks until then.

22/23 atm

Perth-Morrison
Adelaide-Bruton
Tasmania-Roth
NZ-Shamir
SEM-Mitchell
Melbourne-Vickerman
Illawara-Jakomas
Sydney-Buford
Brisbane-Duncan
Cairns-Forde


I'd say Morrison, Bruton, Duncan, Forde and Mitchell could be on the chopping block with poor 22/23 seasons.


Local Good fits for the future?

Caporn > Perth
Henare > Brisbane
Beveridge > Tasmania
Flavell > NZ
Rillie > Adelaide

Interested to see how Jackomas does. Few have had the apprenticeship that he has.

IMO I don't see (or at least I think it would be a mistake) for Bruton and Duncan to get the chop after one year. Forde I think would be unfair with the roster and injuries. Mitchell and Morrison are the two that I would put firmly on the hot seat.

Smart decision all round, goorg will do his twelve months in his new position and if Mitchell fails season 22/23 he will be gone, then maybe goorg.

Congratulations to Jacob.

Jacob's done the hard work and should have been picked up before this. Good job JJ. Congrats!

Goorj has bigger fish to fry. Not in Oz.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/basketball/nbl-finals-logue-down-column-full-story-of-kings-coachs-referee-rant-revealed/news-story/48f20f489e31b3fb74824367bbfe5566


Word is he's getting big offers in Asia but given his age and situation I don't see him packing up and leaving Australia to go there. I think this is the slow fade off from Goorj. It would not surprise me if he ended up at SEM. His family lives in Melbourne and Simon Mitchell has yet to be officially re-signed.

Jacobs a puppert

Yeah Goorj did his dash in Asia already, I would be very surprised if he heads back overseas. I honestly *would* be surprised if he signed with SEM or anyone else at this stage also, because I don't think either is an obviously better spot than where he was at with Illawarra from a basketball standpoint, and in his new role he would be able to spend a lot more time around his family in Melbourne anyway.

Why are we still speculating when he is staying at the hawks and an oversight role and the boomers as HC for now?

Because there's nothing better to do.

KET said "Why are we still speculating when he is staying at the hawks and an oversight role and the boomers as HC for now?"

"The 68-year-old, who recently brought up his 800th NBL game, will remain as the Hawks' special advisor for basketball operations but will work remotely."

ME said "Word is he's getting big offers in Asia but given his age and situation I don't see him packing up and leaving Australia to go there. I think this is the slow fade off from Goorj. It would not surprise me if he ended up at SEM."

He has already got an offer from Asia and will be based in the area. No reason not to take it with the money on offer being great. A lot more than the NBl for sure.

Angus H said .."because I don't think either is an obviously better spot than where he was at with Illawarra from a basketball standpoint.." I think you may be wrong on that point.

Asia is a very large continent.

Which country? China again?

The NEW competition will be across Asia. But what would I know.

Yes there is a new league coming, hardly breaking news. What country is the club based in?

Once again you're throwing vague darts around and hoping one will hit later on to tell us all "I told ya so".

AFAIK it will be in Manila for 2 seasons to start with.
But you already know all about it, so go ahead and tell us what other teams will be in the competition and how it will be run and when it will be run.

https://twitter.com/EASLofficial

I'm not asking about the league or its location. Nice attempt at intentionally ducking my question.

He has already got an offer from Asia and will be based in the area.

Just saw the press conference from the Hawks and Goorjian advised he will be coaching next year somewhere.

Lets put some money on it and say JAPAN will be where he ends up.

Look at who from Australia and NZ are currently coaching there.

So would not surprise me that he will end up there and there is money to be made.

China but someone here already said "Yeah Goorj did his dash in Asia already, I would be very surprised if he heads back overseas." So it's not Asia obviously or China. How many teams China are allowed I don't know.

I had to read that five times.

So China - okay.

New glasses I reckon.

i can only think jackomas if hi is the new head coach he wouldn't be on goorjan money so i am hoping there looking at re sign cleveland and rathan mayes and reath

Lets hope they sign a decent Asst Coach to help Jackomas because Shaun Rogers certainly would not be capable in that position although he probably thinks he would be ideal in his own opinion.They need someone strong.

They obviously need another assistant but Shawn Rogers is very good, you think you work for goorg if you don't.

East Area Dragons for sure

Bay Area Dragons.

Haha yep, predictive text

Rogers got the gig on who you know(Jackomas) not on his talent.He didn't like his job at the Kings and would have spoken to Jackomas to get the gig down there.

Japan I reckon, 1 of the bigs clubs.

That doesn't mean he can’t coach, most people get jobs through contacts. As I said goorg don’t take fools.

Goorg most likely Japan where the money is.

Look at who else is coaching there,Lemanis,Dennis,Henare and others.

Which team is Lemanis coaching, I could not find it.

Which team is Lemanis coaching, I could not find it.

Cheers. PW.

These Japan guesses are CURIOUS.

We have my boy BOBA FETT once again being ignored by the masses as per usual even though he continues to generously dish out the scraps he is fed by Billy T and co. direct to you and I, the people.

Okay okay I know it took him a lot of unnecessary posts and words to hint at a new team playing in another country's league, which one poster succinctly revealed using a grand total of just three words, but still much respect for the almost two decades of delivering barely decipherable, usually incomprehensible hints to the great unwashed. Respect. You the man.

which one poster succinctly revealed using a grand total of just three words