Cairns Taipans confirm Adam Forde as coach for ‘foreseeable future’ ahead of NBL26

Adam Forde stood down as Cairns Taipans coach, was tasked to help find his replacement and has now ended up back in the top job – this is how it happened.

Cairns Taipans CEO Mark Beecroft with returning head coach Adam Forde. Picture: Brendan Radke

After standing down as the Cairns Taipans’ head coach at the end of last season, Adam Forde was tasked with helping the club find his successor.

Following an extensive search that included several impressive applicants from overseas, Forde and the club found the best man for the job was already in living in the Far North.

On Friday, the club confirmed Forde would return to the sideline for the Snakes, with the 43-year-old now expected to remain at the helm for the “foreseeable future”.

It’s understood the contract will be ongoing with the role reviewed at the end of each season.

After finishing the NBL25 season at the bottom of the 10-team ladder, Forde spoke of his personal challenge towards “100 per cent commitment”.

Cairns Taipans and Adam Forde have agreed the mentor will coach the Snakes for the “foreseeable future.” (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

“And that’s one thing I’ve always said, is if I don’t feel like I can give 100 per cent to the club, I don’t want to cheat them out of the position or the role that they need,” he said in February.

At the conclusion of the season, the former Sydney Kings’ mentor said he wanted to pursue other professional opportunities and in March was appointed as interim coach of the Australian men’s 3x3 team which won bronze at the inaugural Champions Cup and gold at the Asia Cup.

Meanwhile, the club has reportedly been in “advance talks” about a new private ownership structure which is believed will help the Snakes attract and sign high profile on-court talent.

Taipans president Troy Stone said the process of interviewing “credentialed” coaches from across Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United States helped the club make “valuable connections across the globe”.

The Cairns Taipans NBL club president Troy Stone at the team's offices in Manunda. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We’ve been really impressed by the calibre of coaches that were interested and interviewed to be part of the Cairns Taipans. It’s been rewarding,” he said.

“But, it’s worth noting that Adam has not just walked back into his old job – there have been robust conversations in the background.

“Our landscape is changing, and he’s seen it first-hand now. He didn’t want to miss the opportunity to be part of this club’s evolution, and we couldn’t be happier.

“As part of this broader change we will all evolve and get better. That goes for everyone, from Adam to his assistants, to everyone in the front office.”

Adam Forde says he’s excited by the new era of the Cairns Taipans underpinned by “advance talks” towards private ownership. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)

Forde said his original decision to step away from the NBL provided him with the distance he required, enabling an opportunity for reflection after 12 consecutive seasons in the league.

“A lot has changed over the last four months,” he said.

“I haven’t been able to get a break from basketball like this before and it gave me the chance to step back.

“I’ve witnessed how hard everyone has been working this off-season and it’s really exciting. I just knew I had to be part of the new era for the Cairns Taipans.”

The Taipans will have to appoint a new assistant coach this off-season, following the departure of club stalwart Kerry Williams to the Adelaide 36ers.

Williams was considered a frontrunner for Forde’s job at the end of last season by several NBL observers, with Hawks assistant coach and former Cairns Marlins guard Joel Khalu also a contender for the role.

Originally published as Cairns Taipans confirm Adam Forde as coach for ‘foreseeable future’ ahead of NBL26