Brisbane Bullets on lookout for new coach with Andrej Lemanis to leave for Japan at season’s end

Brisbane Bullets have confirmed Andrej Lemanis’s departure, revealing the club has been in talks with him since January about a potential exit.

The Brisbane Bullets are on the lookout for a new coach, with Andrej Lemanis leaving the club at season’s end to take up a big-money offer to coach in Japan.

The Bullets confirmed Lemanis’s departure via a statement on Wednesday, revealing the club has been in talks with him since January about a potential exit.

The former Boomers coach told his Brisbane players this week about his decision to part ways with the club to start a multi-year deal with a new team in the Japanese league.

The 13-year NBL head coach has decided his future lies elsewhere and the time is right to explore a new challenge, both professionally and personally.

Lemanis, 52, joined the Bullets upon its return into the NBL competition ahead of the 2016-17 season and has been at the helm for the past five seasons.

Andrej Lemanis will step down as Bullets coach at the end of the season. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

He will remain in charge of the team for the remainder of the NBL season while the club searches for a suitable replacement.

A selection panel has been put together to find a new Brisbane head coach, with the process to take place in the coming weeks.

Lemanis said he would leave the organisation with many fond memories from both on and off the court.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Bullets and am thankful for the opportunity to be head coach of the club. I’m proud of what we have been able to achieve over the past five seasons,” Lemanis said.

“Every journey has an expiry date, and so it is time for me, and my family, to take on new experiences and challenges.

“I appreciate the communication and support the club has given me as we worked through to this point.

“As with everything, we haven’t always got it right, but I am proud of the fact that we have always worked to a set of core values.

“Given the short off season, it is important that the club can get in the market and appoint the new head coach in time for the free agency period, hence the timing of this announcement.”

Since joining the Bullets in 2016, Lemanis has played a crucial role rejuvenating the program back into the NBL despite limited success.

Lemanis is heading to Japan. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

He is particularly proud of the impact he has made in the junior development space.

“Since returning to the NBL, we have had two players progress from the Bullets directly into the NBA, multiple players realise their goal of playing for the national team and had many players start their NBL careers with us, the majority of those from Queensland – that’s pretty cool,” he said.

“I wish the new head coach and the Bullets every success moving forwards and will follow with interest.

“I’m fully committed to the club, players, members and fans for the remainder of this season. For me, there would be no better way to finish up my time at the Bullets than to achieve success with this special group of people.”

Lemanis has made a huge impact on the NBL in his 13 years as a head coach.

He rebuilt New Zealand Breakers from easybeats into three-time champions.

Lemanis has also played a vital role with the Australian men’s national team as head coach.

He led the Boomers to two FIBA World Cups and the Rio Olympics where Australia again achieved its best finish.

The Boomers came within seconds of a maiden medal at the 2019 World Cup in China under Lemanis – the team’s best finish at that level.

On top of a move to Japan, he is also in line to coach Latvia‘s national team.

Originally published as Brisbane Bullets on lookout for new coach with Andrej Lemanis to leave for Japan at season’s end