Quin Snyder, one of the NBA’s most experienced and respected head coaches, a candidate for the vacant Boomers job
Atlanta Hawks coach Quin Snyder has addressed being linked to the vacant Boomers gig while reminiscing about a time he came up against Aussie legend Andrew Gaze at college level.
Atlanta Hawks NBA coach Quin Snyder says it’s “flattering” and an “honour” to have his name mentioned in the mix for the Australian Boomers job.
Speaking prior to the Hawks’ clash against the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, Snyder responded to Code Sports’ exclusive report that he is a strong candidate to coach the Australian national team.
While he didn’t confirm he was a contender due to confidentiality, the veteran NBA mentor spoke about his gratefulness to be linked to any international team.
“Anytime that your name is mentioned with a national team, particularly the Australian national team, that is flattering and an honour,” Snyder said.
“Right now my focus is on the Hawks with what we’re doing right now.”
Snyder did have time to joke about taking on arguably the greatest Boomer – Andrew Gaze – for Duke against Seton Hall in the NCAA Final Four semi-final in 1989.
Gaze dropped 20 points to help the Pirates beat the Blue Devils 95-78, with Snyder contributing eight points in defeat.
“Your first reference was to Andrew Gaze, who ended my college career,” he said.
“He was better than all of us.”
Snyder is a contender for the Boomers job alongside former German national coach Gordon Herbert.
Basketball Australia is expected to make an official announcement on the next coach in February.
SNYDER EMERGES AS SHOCK BOOMERS CANDIDATE
- Matt Logue and Michael Randall
Atlanta Hawks NBA coach Quin Snyder has emerged as a shock candidate to be the next Australian Boomers mentor.
Multiple sources told Code Sports Snyder, who coaches young Boomers star Dyson Daniels at the Hawks, is among more than one candidate with NBA experience.
It’s understood Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman also remains in the running for the role vacated by Brian Goorjian after the Paris Olympic Games.
One of the most respected coaches in basketball, Snyder has overseen more than 700 NBA games for Utah and Atlanta since 2014.
He began his career with the Jazz, where he worked closely with Boomers’ veteran Joe Ingles during an eight-season stint at the club.
The 58-year-old joined Atlanta in 2022-23 and, after trading for Daniels last off-season, has helped the Hawks become a threat in the Eastern Conference.
Contacted by Code Sports on Wednesday, BA high performance boss Jason Smith said he was bound by confidentiality and could not confirm whether Snyder or any other candidate was under consideration.
Smith did say the selection panel, which includes Boomers legend Andrew Bogut, AFL great Michael O’Loughlin and Paralympics Australia chair Alison Creagh, was continuing a rigorous process to ensure it secured the best candidate for a job considered one of the most coveted in world basketball.
“This job is like a Manchester United, it’s a top-five job in the world and that’s evidence from the interest we’ve received,” Smith said.
“We’ve been so impressed by the candidacies and we’ll go through the appropriate steps and the necessary due diligence to make sure we make the right decision.
“However long that takes, it takes.”
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