Jackjumpers coach Scott Roth’s responds rudely to female NBL TV interviewer

He is a legend in Tasmania but JackJumpers coach Scott Roth did not win any fans with his responses to respected NBL reporter Jo Healy.

Championship-winning Tasmania coach Scott Roth’s prickly demeanour over the past fortnight had become a big talking point in NBL circles.

But his attitude toward NBL sideline reporter Jo Healy’s simple questions, prior to Friday night’s Hoops Fest opening loss to Melbourne United came across as rude and out of order. WATCH THE INTERVIEW IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE.

Roth was a ball of emotion after he masterminded the Tasmania JackJumpers’ remarkable upset of Melbourne United in five games to win last season’s NBL title.

But, without his NBA-bound best player Jack McVeigh and off the back of a horror travel schedule and injuries to key players, Roth gave Healy’s questions short shrift in a disrespectful manner.

Throughout the interview Roth refused to look Healy in the eye.

Asked about last season’s title, Roth responded: “Well, I hate to disappoint you but we don’t talk about that anymore so I’m not going to go down that alley.”

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Jo Healy interviewing Scott Roth, who gave short shrift to all questions being asked.

On the injuries and travel, which took the JackJumpers from Tassie to the Gold Coast to Singapore to Perth in a couple of weeks: “Well we haven’t really spun anything other than the fact we’ve played these five games in eight or nine days and we’re ready to go for tonight.”

Healy, a consummate pro who kept her calm, asked for a “final word for the boys in the locker room”.

Roth’s answer: “I’ll keep that internal.”

NBL caller Jack Heverin labelled Roth’s interview “about as friendly as a pool full of piranhas”.

“That’s because he’s under the pump, he doesn’t have access to his best players,” Heverin said.

Aussie hoops legend Andrew Gaze called Roth “stoic”.

“I think his demeanour with the team is a lot different to what it is when he’s doing interviews,” Gaze said.

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Multiple sources told Code Sports Roth was seen at the Blitz in full view of the public in a heated discussion with an NBL executive.

It’s understood NBL officials are frustrated and concerned by how Roth has carried himself recently.

Roth, in his fourth season as coach, has become a legend in Tasmania but, right now, has plenty to be aggrieved about. The travel schedule from late August to this week took the Jackies from Tasmania to the Gold Coast for the Blitz to Singapore for the Intercontinental Cup to play five games in nine days – including three in a row – before their season opener.

Scott Roth has taken on legend status in Tasmania after guiding the JackJumpers to last season’s NBL title. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

NBL Most Improved Player Sean Macdonald suffered a serious ankle injury in Singapore that will ground him for about six weeks, while new import Craig Sword was also missing from Friday night’s game.

Add that to irreplaceable Grand Final MVP McVeigh’s departure and the JackJumpers did well to hang with United in the 79-88 loss.

Post game, Roth was a little more giving of his responses but wouldn’t be drawn on his club’s injuries.

“In general, I’m extremely proud of my staff and everyone that’s gone through the last three weeks,” he said.

NBL broadcast reporter Jo Healy speaking to Jack McVeigh last season. (Picture: Instagram)

“These guys are excited to get home with their families and kids and enjoy a few days off.

“We have multiple guys carrying injuries and we’re not going to discuss it.”

Asked if Sword would be available for next week’s meeting with next Saturday’s rematch with United in Tassie, where the club will unveil its championship banner, Roth replied with “I’m not qualified to make that diagnosis, if I was, I would not be here, I’d be a doctor making a lot more money”.

JackJumpers boss Christine Finnegan backed Roth and the JackJumpers to hit back, as the club has done throughout its remarkably successful short history.

“The crux of it is that we have had a fairly long pre-season, there’s been a lot going on, we’re just recovering from three weeks on the road, three games in a row in Singapore, I think it’s just taking a toll on everyone and everyone’s feeling a bit fatigued but I’m sure we’ll bounce back in a really positive manner,” Finnegan said.

Originally published as Jackjumpers coach Scott Roth’s responds rudely to female NBL TV interviewer