Former Brisbane Bullets assistant coach, Dale Ryan, remembered after Sunshine Coast crash
Shockwaves have gone through the Queensland basketball community following the tragic death of a former Brisbane Bullets championship assistant coach in a fatal crash on the Sunshine Coast.
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The Australian and Queensland basketball community is in mourning after the death of former Brisbane Bullets championship assistant coach and one of the sport’s “good guys” following a tragic car crash on the Sunshine Coast.
Father-of-two Dale Ryan, who coached in Queensland for decades, died after the crash at Doonan about 11pm on July 1.
The man known as ‘Daisy’ was a key figure in the sport, most notably as an assistant coach during the Bullets’ record season in 2007, the franchise’s last NBL title.
He also held a variety of roles at clubs around southeast Queensland, including coaching the Northside Wizards and Brisbane Capitals and the Sunshine Coast Phoenix in the NBL1 last season, where he was also the general manager until earlier this year.
Daisy spent time as the Basketball Queensland high performance manager, coaching state teams, before being involved in Basketball Victoria and then venturing overseas to coach in England and Spain.
Legendary NBL coach, Joey Wright, who was the Bullets coach during the 2007 championship, said Daisy would be dearly missed.
“Daisy was a friend that I happen to coach with,” Wright said.
“We shared some amazing times together, travels to visit my family in Texas, NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and a championship.
“He was a complex guy who saw the game of basketball at layers not many could understand. “I will miss him but cherish the memories.”
Australian basketball legend Sam Mackinnon, who won the NBL MVP for the Bullets in 2007 and is currently the club’s general manager, also paid tribute to his former assistant coach.
“Daisy was a genuine good guy who not only cared about the game but about you as a person and how you were going,” Mackinnon said.
“When our paths crossed we would always pick up where we left off and I was part of a group that was fortunate to be involved with him during our record breaking season with the Bullets.”
Nelson Kahler, who played for Daisy at the Phoenix last season, said the coach had a great impact on him on and off the court.
“He was more than just a coach. He valued me as a person, and I’ll always appreciate him for that,” he said.
“He brought a level of professionalism to Phoenix that hadn’t been there since I have been playing. I loved bonding with his two beautiful daughters and my thoughts go out to the rest of his family. RIP Dale.”
Jamaal Robateau, who also played under Daisy at the Phoenix last season, said he would always remember the coach’s big smile.
“I met Dale through my father who coached with him at the Brisbane Bullets, the 13-year-old me was lucky enough to go to a Bullets practice where I got to meet the players and coaches,” he said.
“Dale was the first person to say g’day to me. I remember his big smile when he watched me shoot abs he jokingly said my shot was broke like my father’s.
“About 15 years go by and Dale and I cross paths again but this time he’s my coach at the Sunshine Coast Phoenix.
“I walk into the Clipperdome (Phoenix home court) and see his big smile again and the first thing he says is I hope your shot still isn’t broke like your dad’s as we laughed.
“If you know Daisy you’ll know that there were two things he loved. He loved a good long chat at any place and any time but more importantly he loved his family and his two beautiful little girls.
“He impacted my life along with so many other young hoopers in the Basketball Queensland community. Daisy was loved and will be missed tremendously. Love you mate.”
NBL and Australian Boomers star Chris Goulding, who was with the Bullets during Daisy’s time as an assistant, said basketball had lost a true gentleman.
“Dale had a big impact on everyone he coached, he spent countless ours coaching and working with us at the Bullets and always did so with enthusiasm and professionalism,” he said.
“He was a great person who will be sorely missed.”
Cathie Roberts from the Northside Wizards said they sent condolences to his family.
“Dale held an integral role at Northside Wizards, as coaching director and QBL men’s head coach,” she said.
“His knowledge and experience helped lay new foundations for growth and excellence in both junior and senior programs.
“We send our sincere condolences to Dale’s family, his loss will be deeply felt by all who knew him.”
Queensland Police say investigations from the Forensic Crash Unit are continuing and appeals for witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage continue.
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