Brian Goorjian is the second coach of a high-profile Australian team to vacate their post before leaving Paris 2024, following the departure of Swede national Tony Gustavsson as coach of the Matildas last week.
It also marks the end of Goorjian’s second stint as Boomers coach. A legendary figure of Australia’s NBL, he first coached the men’s national basketball team from 2002 until 2008, before returning to the role in 2020 for a total of 115 games in charge.
Now aged 71, he led the Boomers to a breakthrough bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, the first medal for the Australian men’s team in Olympic history.
Basketball Australia will soon begin conducting the search for his replacement. Matt Nielsen, the lead Boomers assistant and San Antonio Spurs assistant, has been seen as Goorjian’s successor by senior Australian basketball coaches, but Trevor Gleeson, a former Boomers assistant, a five-time NBL championship coach with the Perth Wildcats, and now an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, is a prominent name industry sources expect to be questioned about his interest in the role.
Adam Caporn, Goorjian’s other assistant, and an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets, is likely to be another candidate.
Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman has led the Boomers in minor tournaments, while BA could look to an international coach.
Source Agencies
