24
Mar
Exclusive
Shock move: Phoenix part ways with Sam Mackinnon
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Sam Mackinnon, during his time as interim head coach of the Phoenix, reacts during the round six NBL match between New Zealand Breakers and South East Melbourne Phoenix at Wolfbrook Arena, on October 24, 2024, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images
Sam Mackinnon will depart the Phoenix after two seasons as an assistant coach with the club.
- Sam Mackinnon will no longer be part of Josh King's coaching staff at the SEM Phoenix
- Mackinnon had been an assistant coach for two seasons at the club, including a stint as interim head coach
- He is a legend of the NBL, winning MVP in 2007 and being a two-time NBL champion
The South East Melbourne Phoenix have made the first shock coaching move of the offseason — assistant coach and Australian basketball legend Sam Mackinnon's contract has not been renewed for NBL26, basketball.com.au has been told.
Mackinnon, a former NBL MVP and two-time championship winner, has been an assistant coach with the Phoenix for the past two seasons after joining the club from the Brisbane Bullets.
The two-time Olympian was seen as a key contributor to South East Melbourne's rise up the NBL ladder after starting the season 0-5, going 2-1 as interim coach including a win over crosstown rivals and runners-up Melbourne United and a blowout victory over the New Zealand Breakers, following the firing of Mike Kelly.
Many saw Mackinnon as a candidate to take over as full-time head coach of the team before the appointment of King.
The club's decision to part ways with Mackinnon is believed to have come as a shock to many people within the Phoenix organisation.
Mackinnon, who is coaching the Taranaki Airs in the NZNBL, was previously an assistant coach and general manager of basketball operations with the Bullets before also spending time as interim coach after the departure of James Duncan during the 2022/23 season.
The 48-year-old has expressed his desire to be an NBL head coach in the past.
South East Melbourne confirmed the decision in a media release this afternoon.
“Sam played an integral role for the club this season," Phoenix general manager of basketball operations, Simon Mitchell, said in the release.
"He brought stability and leadership to the team when he assumed the Interim Head Coaching role and was pivotal in setting this team on a pathway to the playoffs. I wish him all the best in his coaching endeavours.”
The release also mentioned the Phoenix will finalise their coaching structure in the coming months.
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