Phil Smyth says he’s committed to Brisbane and coaching abroad after talks with Adelaide 36ers about head coaching vacancy
Club legend Phil Smyth says thanks, but no thanks to Adelaide 36ers coaching job as the search for Joey Wright’s replacement continues in Australia and abroad.
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Australian basketball great Phil Smyth says he is not considering the Adelaide 36ers coaching job after he was approached about the role.
The Advertiser on Monday revealed the club great was on the Sixers’ hit-list of possible candidates to replace Joey Wright who departed in inglorious circumstances after seven years last month.
Smyth, 61, coached Adelaide to three NBL championships while at the helm from 1998-2008 and remains involved in sport at the elite level.
He is into his second season with the Brisbane Lions working with its players and coaches, led by Chris Fagan, and was on the panel which appointed new Crows coach Matthew Nicks last year.
Smyth was inducted into the Adelaide 36ers’ inaugural hall of fame last month and said while he loves the club, he could not commit to returning as coach despite being on their whiteboard.
“(Owner) Grant (Kelley) and I had a brief conversation but I’m unavailable, I’m committed to the Brisbane Lions and coaching overseas (in Indonesia), so this year it doesn’t work for me,” he said.
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“It’s just not the right time or scenario.
“The one advantage to being in the position you’re in (now) is you go (into coaching) because you want to, not because you have to.
“I’ve been fortunate to be around a lot of successful coaches the last few years and having been successful yourself you know what the right ingredients are.
“I love the club, absolutely, I’m really disappointed the way it’s finished up (this season), and it would be nice to see them get back on track again.”
MORE BASKETBALL NEWS
Adelaide 36ers land first signing in the post-Joey Wright era – Josh Giddey
Basketball Australia’s centre of excellence head coach Adam Caporn is seen as a leading contender for the job alongside the 36ers’ current assistant coach Kevin Brooks.
Caporn has been coaching Adelaide's latest signing – emerging Boomer Josh Giddey – who is joining the club as part of the NBL’s Next Stars program next season.
Brooks has been an assistant under Wright since 2013 and the club has also interviewed a US-based coach about the job via videolink.
An appointment is not expected to be made for at least a week.
reece.homfray@news.com.au