Former Taipans coach Mike Kelly on Cairns, Wildcats, and new role

Former Taipans coach Mike Kelly looks back on his time at Cairns as a positive experience, and opens up about his new chapter at the NBL powerhouse Perth Wildcats.

FORMER Taipans coach Mike Kelly looks back on his time at Cairns as a positive experience as he embarks on a new chapter at the NBL powerhouse Perth Wildcats.

Kelly was recently appointed to the role of associate head coach at the Wildcats, a lead assistant role in which, since five-time championship-winner Trevor Gleeson’s departure for an opportunity at the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, he will lead the side until a new head coach is appointed.
When he spoke to the Cairns Post, Kelly was less than a week into his new role, an opportunity he has taken with both hands.

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Former Cairns Taipans coach Mike Kelly. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

REFLECTING ON CAIRNS

Kelly coached the Taipans for three seasons, picking up two wooden spoons and a semi final appearance in NBL20 - which included the NBL’s Coach of the Year award.

The Taipans’ NBL20 campaign, in which they pushed eventual champions Perth to overtime in the first semi final but lost the series 2-1, was one which forced Far North basketball fans to dream.

After a slow start, in which the Snakes slumped to 2-6, Cairns went on a run off the back of outstanding performances from their import trio - runner-up MVP Scott Machado, highlight reel Cam Oliver and Defensive Player of Year DJ Newbill.

“I think that whole run right there (in 2020) where we started not winning, then came together as a group and win games – the final result was Perth in the semi – but that whole time, coming together, it was a great feel the whole way through that as we learned to put it,” Kelly said.

But the Taipans never quite rediscovered that winning mojo in NBL21, slumping to an 8-28 record - their fourth worst on record - which ended with the club parting ways with Kelly after their final game.

KELLY’S MIXED FEELINGS AS TAIPANS TENURE COMES TO AN END

The league’s reduction from three to two import slots bit the Snakes the hardest.

Kelly and the club were forced to pick just two of those three weapons for NBL21, and regardless of which way they went, the Taipans were to lose something.

They chose Machado and Oliver.

Newbill took his outstanding talent on both sides of the ball to Japan, and it was clear from the start the Taipans had lost some sting.

“Even though we brought back a lot of the same group, it was missing a big piece in DJ Newbill, and we felt that on both ends,” Kelly said.

“There was a number of other things, but the simple fact is there’s not a lot of margin for error.

“If you were missing one piece, then add in the injuries … it’s a big difference.”

Former Taipans coach Mike Kelly. (Photo by Mead Norton/Getty Images)

Kelly ended his tenure in Cairns with a 31-64 win-loss record, including the post-season - a measly 32.63 per cent, the second-worst win rate out of Cairns’s five coaches.

THE NUMBERS WHICH BACK TAIPANS DECISION TO AXE KELLY

Inaugural coach Rod Popp won just eight of 56 games (14 per cent) in the club’s first two campaigns.

But still, Kelly looks back on his time in Cairns and FNQ positively.

“I love Cairns,” he said. “The people of Cairns were great to me, my family is still there.

“There were some highs and lows, and things you always want to win more games. I look back on it positively.

“The guys, we had our opportunities to win games, and some things got in the way.

“I think I’m still sorting through it.”

The Cairns posting was Kelly’s first role as a head coach.

Former Cairns head coach Mike Kelly during Taipans training. Picture: Brendan Radke

A two-time NBL Defensive Player of the Year in his playing days, Kelly was an assistant or associate head coach for a decade before taking the reins at the Taipans.

The win-loss record is the public side of the job, but Kelly looks to an intangible as what he learned most.

“Developing a culture that is real and can sustain itself, and is run not just from the top down but is embodied in everybody who is part of what you’re doing,” Kelly said.

“We were up and down at times in Cairns. That’s probably the big one, helping to get that culture going and helping.”

THE NEW ROLE

Kelly has now traded the orange for red, moving from a club chasing its first NBL championship to a leading franchise which has made every post-season for the past 35 years.

It is a move which, on the surface at least, is intimidating: which NBL franchise faces more pressure from fans and media alike?

But for Kelly, this is the start of a new opportunity.

A month passed between the end of his Taipans tenure to his new start in Western Australia, when he struck gold with.

“I guess it was the natural progression to go from losing a job, taking stock, reaching out to people,” Kelly said.

“It came up that way, (and) it happened pretty quick.

“It was maybe a month after the season I was earnestly looking for a job.

“I had spoken to Trevor (earlier) ... then the Wildcats called and said they might have an opportunity.”

As Kelly walked in to Wildcats HQ, the expectations of the fan base are at a much higher level than that of what he experienced at Cairns, and may be on par with his time at Melbourne United.

But it doesn’t change his approach.

“I definitely think there is a standard to uphold here, but it doesn’t change the pressure or the way you go about things,” Kelly said.

“I’m trying to do my best no matter where I am, (whether that was at) United winning the chip or Cairns fighting for the playoffs, or Perth trying to continue their great record of success.

“Trevor had such a great run here, so it’s not easy to come in. People expect success here.”

FUTURE ASPIRATIONS

The job title has changed but the desire has not: Kelly wants to be a head coach.

Even if, since his time at Cairns ended, he was asked if he wanted to be in basketball at all.

This is someone who spent the past three decades of his adult life playing professionally - almost an even split between playing and coaching - though, for now, he just wants to help this Wildcats outfit.

Mike Kelly is driven to succeed. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I’ve had a number of people wish me well, then I guess ask the question about being a head coach but staying in basketball,” Kelly said.

“You can always look to change professions but this is … this is what I love to do, it’s where I’ve got some talents, and hopefully it leads to opportunities.

“(The future), it’s all about helping this group.”

As associate head coach, Kelly is leading the Wildcats as the franchise searches for its new head coach.

There is talk the Wildcats will settle on a new coach next month, but until then, Kelly will be the man entrusted with ensuring the performance staff and players are on the same page.

“Whoever comes in, if its an overseas (-based coach), they may need a little more help getting used to Australia and the NBL.

“It’s going to be doing the things assistant coaches do, just helping this group.”

The current Wildcats roster features several players Kelly previously worked with, including Todd Blanchfield, Mitch Norton and Majok Majok.

“I’m super excited to have the opportunity to be a part of such a great club, with so many great people.” he said in the statement accompanying his acquisition.

“I’m grateful for the chance to coach again in the NBL and be a part of a team with some guys I’ve coached before, Mitch, Todd and Majok, I’ve always heard great things.

“I think it will be a great fit, the way the Wildcats have played since I was a player and a coach fits the way I go about things, I’ll be another piece of the hard-working machine and I’ll do everything I can to help this group win games.”

Perth Wildcats CEO Troy Georgiu said he was excited to welcome Mike Kelly to the organisation.

“Mike has a wealth of experience and ability and we are thrilled to have him come on board as Associate Head Coach of the Perth Wildcats,” he said.

“We believe he will be a great fit for the club, both on and off the court, and can’t wait for his arrival.”

The Taipans appointed Adam Forde as their head coach for the next two years, though his assistants are yet to be named.

HOW FORDE PLANS TO UNLOCK TAIPANS’ TRUE POTENTIAL

The club has resigned much of the roster Kelly worked with in NBL21, led by import duo Machado and Oliver.

Follow @MMcInerney89

Originally published as Former Taipans coach Mike Kelly on Cairns, Wildcats, and new role