NBL news 2023: Illawarra Hawks sack coach Jacob Jackomas amid horror two-year losing stretch

The Illawarra Hawks have sacked head coach Jacob Jackomas - but it appears the sacking was in the works for a couple of days, with one of the NBA’s biggest names being in on the news.

Even Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum knew about Jacob Jackomas’ sacking before the club pulled the trigger on Tuesday morning.

Tatum revealed he was told his father, Justin, would take over as the Hawks’ interim coach on Sunday night (US time).

The Celtics’ All-Star forward confirmed the revelation during his post-game press conference after dropping a game-high 35 points in a win over New York on Tuesday.

“I found out last night - I’m extremely happy for him and proud of him,” Tatum said about his father, Justin, and his appointment as Illawarra interim coach.

“That’s a big step. I know he has been trying to build his resume and coaching career.

“He has been over in Australia for the past 12 months and now he is the head coach for the Hawks.

“I’m excited for him.”

Justin Tatum, the father of four-time NBA All-Star Jayson Tatum, has been named as interim head coach of the @illawarrahawks 🦅

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/impvK3nvkwpic.twitter.com/6aqxpLBLrL

— NBL (@NBL) November 14, 2023

Secret meetings that spelled the end for axed coach

Illawarra had already reached out to both Brian Goorjian and Trevor Gleeson - two of Australia’s greatest coaches - before it sacked struggling mentor Jacob Jackomas.

Code Sports understands the Hawks were poised to make a move on Jackomas if the team, which now has two wins from nine starts this season, produced another poor performance.

Saturday night’s 81-71 capitulation at the hands of the Cairns Taipans was the final straw for Hawks management, which pulled the trigger on Jackomas on Tuesday morning.

Former Illawarra coach Goorjian - who Jackomas assisted - confirmed he was approached to return to the Hawks - but he knocked them back.

“There was a reach out to me, like two weeks ago, but my plate, right now, is full,” said Goorjian, who led the Hawks to the semi-finals in his two seasons at the club between 2020 and 2022.

Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian knocked back an opportunity to return to the Hawks. Picture: Getty

“I’ve got the Boomers situation and I think it is really good that I’m not coaching domestically right now.

“Then there is my relationship with Jacob. I’m his mentor, we worked together and this was his chance.

“You know, it’s the wrong thing.

“It (the job) was something that Hawks owner Jared (Novelly) discussed with me and it was squashed right away.”

Code Sports understands Illawarra also approached Gleeson last week to gauge his interest.

Code Sports has reached out to both Jackomas and Gleeson.

It’s not yet clear if Gleeson, a legend of the Perth Wildcats, who most recently spent time as an assistant in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors, holds interest in taking the reigns at the bottom-of-the-table Hawks.

Former Perth coach Trevor Gleeson (R) was also in the sights of the under-performing Hawks. Picture: Getty

The Hawks pulled the trigger on Jackomas’ tenure earlier on Tuesday, following the club’s worst performing two-year period in history.

Hawks ownership met with Jackomas on Tuesday morning, with both parties agreeing it was in the best interests to end the contract – after the Hawks limped to a dreadful 2-7 start to the season.

Jackomas was contracted until the end of 2026, but poor results forced the club to act.

In his two seasons in charge, Jackomas had a 5-32 record, while last season’s 3-25 record was a franchise low.

The Illawarra Hawks have sacked head coach Jacob Jackomas after a horror start to the season. Picture: Getty

Hawks General Manager, Basketball Mat Campbell, thanked Jackomas for his contribution to the club over the past 16 months as head coach and the preceding two years as assistant coach.

“These decisions are never taken lightly, and on behalf of the club, I want to thank Jacob for all his hard work during his time at the Hawks and wish him well in his future coaching endeavours,” Campbell said.

“Unfortunately, our performances over the first nine games of the NBL24 season, following a challenging NBL23 campaign, have not met the club’s expectations, and we agreed that Jacob should finish his duties.”

The Hawks started the season 2-7 – and have a shocking record over the past two years. Picture: Getty

Hawks CEO Stu Taggart also recognised Jackomas’ efforts whilst reiterating the importance of on-court performance in supporting the Club’s renewed strategy.

“I would like to thank Jacob for the work ethic and professionalism he brought with him daily during his time with the Hawks,” Taggart said.

“The club remains firmly committed to building a basketball program and an organisation focused on sustained performance and success. The leadership of the team and the direction the team is taking are the responsibilities of the head coach, and the club must take a different path now, without delay.”

Hawks assistant coach Justin Tatum will assume interim head coaching duties immediately while the club commences its search for a new head coach and will provide further information once that process is complete.

Originally published as NBL news 2023: Illawarra Hawks sack coach Jacob Jackomas amid horror two-year losing stretch