Greer Update on Head Coach Search

South East Melbourne Phoenix's search for their new head coach is underway, with an overwhelming number of candidates already showing interest in the job, with a decision on the next Phoenix coach to be made by early April. 

Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer joined The Basketball Show Monday night, providing an update on finding the next head coach after the exit of Simon Mitchell at the end of February.

"In terms of the head coach search, we want to ensure we exited Simon the right way, given everything he has done for the club. We have now started the process of searching for our next head coach. We've been overwhelmed with the amount of interest, and I think it's a real credit of where the club is at with the high-level interest we've had in the role," Greer commented.

"Our plan is to keep those expressions of interest open through the majority of March, and then we will shortlist, and then, by early April, around when free agency will be commencing, will be looking to secure that head coach and announce it publicly."

(Phoenix's hunt for a new head coach is underway.)

Greer spoke highly of Mitchell and his service to the franchise from the beginning of the club.

"He has been an incredible servant of the club over those four years, and those who haven't experienced being part of a start-up franchise in any way, probably will never understand the heavy lifting required by the first head coach to set up an entire performance program and lead it the way he has the first four years," he said.

With the NBL23 season coming to a disappointing end for the Phoenix, Greer was still happy with the successes the club achieved during the season and also in the first four years.

"In reflection of the season, in many ways, there were many successes throughout the year, but to finish the way we did, I think, leaves a bit of a cloud over the whole thing. We thought we had an incredibly talented roster going into the season, and we got hit with some injuries at poor times, coming out of Christmas and as we started to make that charge towards finals. That made life really difficult, but to make the post-season was a success, and of course, to win the battle of Melbourne for the first time in four years.

"I am really proud of the first four years, to be honest. To be a start-up franchise and then hit with a global pandemic for the next two years of that, and then come out and make the post-season, two out of our first four years in existence as a club, to have a winning record three seasons out of our first four. Incredibly proud of how the franchise has come about and the brand that we have developed within the NBL, players and administrators around the league," Greer commented.

While the search for the new head coach is well underway, Greer will take more of a lead in recruiting for the first month of the off-season, before the new head coach joins him to form a partnership similar to the one Greer and Mitchell made during the recruiting stages in past seasons.

"It's different around the league with different coaches and different setups within performance teams and structures within each franchise. Simon and I really did work hand-in-hand. He did some incredible work on the recruiting front, but everything we did was together in terms of that recruiting process. We remain confident when you look at the rosters we put together over the last couple of years, very confident we are going to bring together something that will be there and competing," he said.

(Phoenix's imports for NBL23 were one of the successes for the club during the season with their chemistry.)

The chemistry of the trio of imports for NBL23 for the Phoenix was one of the successes for the club this season. The re-signing of import Alan Williams at the end of NBL23 for two more seasons came with positive feedback. The question of whether we see the return of the other two imports, Gary Browne and Trey Kell, would be decided near the end of recruiting, Greer told The Basketball Show.

"We're very happy with both Gary and Trey; they were really good for us last year. They fit really well together, there was really good chemistry there with all three of them and with the Australians, and that is something that we don't want to overlook. Both had the ability to play two-ways which was an incredible benefit for us, and both players we remain interested in. 

"I think first and foremost the focus on us is securing that head coach, following that, the Australian contingent will be where our focus shifts, from there we will fill in the gaps we need with the international and import roster spots," Greer commented.

With the completion of the redevelopment of the State Basketball Centre in August, the Phoenix performance and front office staff will be operating under one roof for the first time in club history, after spending the first four years as a franchise working out of separate facilities.

"Obviously, the redevelopment of the State Basketball Centre is well underway; it's on track, and it's due to be delivered in August of this year. That will see us have the best professional sports facility in the country, especially relating to the NBL. We are really looking forward to moving into the new redeveloped centre, it's a $130 million project, and we can't for it to be finished and get in there and start making the most of it," Greer said.

Phoenix Media (07/03/2023)