Chris Muggeridge back as head coach of Rockhampton Cyclones

Chris Muggeridge quit basketball in 2019 but he’s back now and more passionate than ever. Taking the reins at the Rockhampton Cyclones, the veteran coach reveals what brought him back and why he is excited about the club’s future.

Chris Muggeridge is back as head coach of the Rockhampton Cyclones.

Chris Muggeridge says he has “fallen back in love with the game” as he returns as head coach of the Rockhampton Cyclones.

He has taken on the top job after spending the past two seasons as assistant coach of the team, who were crowned the NBL1 North women’s champions last year.

“I feel refreshed and ready to go,” Muggeridge said.

“It was a pretty easy decision to make to come back and have another go at it.”

In his previous tenure as head coach, Muggeridge took the Cyclones to three consecutive finals, winning back-to-back championships in 2015 and 2016.

After six years in the position, he stepped down in 2019 and away from the sport which had been such a big part of his life.

Rockhampton Cyclones then head coach Drew Fenton (front) with assistant coach Chris Muggeridge.

It was Drew Fenton, who was appointed head coach in 2022, who was instrumental in bringing Muggeridge back.

“I walked away in 2019 and I thought my time was over but Drew reached out a couple of years ago and I came on as assistant coach,” he said.

“He made me get the love of the game back again, so I’m very thankful to him for that.

“I definitely learnt a lot from him too. Obviously the game’s changed and developed so he certainly kept me up to speed with everything in that regard.

“I’ll be able to use that to hopefully put the Cyclones in a good spot again for the season coming.”

Muggeridge has been busily recruiting given many of the key signings from the 2024 championship-winning side have moved on.

“We’re in a rebuilding phase right now,” he said.

Chris Muggeridge will be hoping the Cyclones will be celebrating victory again this season after he took them to their maiden title in 2015.

“One of my strengths is recruiting so I’m really confident that I can bring in the quality athletes who will buy into our program and the culture of Rocky Basketball.

“It would be nice after making two grand finals in a row, to be there at the pointy end of the season again.

“I am super excited about this season, I think it’s going to be hugely successful.”

Muggeridge believes he has mellowed and matured as a coach but the style of game he wants the Cyclones to play won’t change drastically.

“We want to hang our hat on defence… and be able to push the ball in transition offence,” he said.

“It will be the same style of play but obviously a little bit more refined and just going at things from a slightly different angle.

“The Cyclones won their first-ever championship in 2015 so 10 years on, we’re looking to do it again.”