'Flattered': Snyder responds to Boomers potential

• Quin Snyder is one of the winningest coaches in NBA history
• Brian Goorjian stepped down after the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris
• Melbourne United head coach Dean Vickerman reportedly another candidate

Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder is "flattered" to have his name mentioned as a potential head coach of the Australian Boomers.

"Anytime that, you know, you have your name is mentioned with a national team, or particularly the Australian national team, that's flattering and an honour," Snyder said overnight.

"(But) right now my focus is on the Hawks and what we're doing right now."

Snyder, who coaches NBA steals leader Dyson Daniels, has emerged as a world class candidate to be the next coach of the Boomers, Code Sports Basketball reported.

Multiple sources told Code Sports Basketball Snyder is among more than one candidate with NBA experience.

Basketball Australia high performance boss Jason Smith told Code Sports Basketball he was bound by confidentiality and could not confirm whether Snyder or any other candidate was under consideration.

“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.”

Snyder also coached one of Australia's best basketball players — Joe Ingles — for the entire duration of his coaching tenure at the Utah Jazz.

Read the Full Story at Code Sports Basketball

Smith confirmed the selection panel — Boomers legend Andrew Bogut, AFL champion 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.

The role became available after 6-time NBL champion and 6-time NBL Coach of the Year Brian Goorjian, 71, stepped down after the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Code Sports Basketball also reports that Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman is also a leading candidate.

Who is Quin Snyder

Quin Snyder, 58, is the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA. He was appointed on February 26, 2023 after eight seasons with the Utah Jazz.

Snyder has an NBA career winning percentage of 56.6%, which ranks 29th all-time for coach's with more than NBA 300 games.

His win-loss record is 440-341 in 781 regular season games. But Snyder hasn't had as much success in the NBA playoff and it's understandable given how tough the Western Conference was when he was with the Utah Jazz between 2014 and 2022.

His post season record is 23-34 in 57 games during the era of Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.

Born on October 30, 1966, in Mercer Island, Washington, Snyder was a two-time state basketball player of the year, he led Mercer Island High School to the 1985 state championship and earned recognition as a McDonald's All-American — the first player from Washington to receive this honour.

Snyder's collegiate career at Duke University from 1985 to 1989 was nothing short of remarkable. As a point guard for the Blue Devils, he helped guide the team to three Final Four appearances in 1986, 1988, and 1989. His leadership qualities were evident even then, as he was elected team captain in his senior year.

But Snyder's accomplishments weren't limited to the hardwood; he was also recognised as an Academic All-American.

After graduating from Duke with a double major in philosophy and political science, Snyder's path took an unconventional turn. Rather than immediately pursuing a playing career, he opted to further his education, earning both a J.D. from Duke Law School and an M.B.A. from Duke's Fuqua School of Business in 1995. This unique combination of athletic experience and academic prowess would prove invaluable in his future coaching career.

In the 1992-93 NBA season, he served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers, getting his first taste of professional coaching.

Following his graduate work, Snyder returned to his alma mater, serving as an administrative assistant and later as an associate head coach under the legendary Mike Krzyzewski from 1993 to 1999. During this period, Duke continued its tradition of excellence, reaching the NCAA tournament championship rounds in 1994 and 1999, and winning the ACC tournament in 1999.

In 1999, Snyder took on his first head coaching role at the University of Missouri. His tenure with the Tigers was marked by early success, including four consecutive NCAA tournament berths and an Elite Eight appearance in 2002. However, this period also brought challenges, including NCAA investigations into recruiting violations. Despite the controversy, Snyder's time at Missouri demonstrated his ability to build a competitive program and develop young talent.

After resigning from Missouri in 2006, Snyder briefly considered leaving coaching altogether. However, his passion for the game prevailed, and he accepted the head coaching position of the Austin Toros in the NBA Development League in 2007. This move proved to be a pivotal moment in Snyder's career. Over three seasons with the Toros, he honed his skills in player development and tactical innovation, winning the Dennis Johnson Coach of the Year award in 2009 and consistently leading his team to playoff success.

Snyder's success in the D-League caught the attention of NBA teams, leading to a series of assistant coaching roles with the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Atlanta Hawks. He also spent a season as an assistant coach with CSKA Moscow, broadening his tactical repertoire with exposure to European basketball styles.

In 2014, Snyder was named head coach of the Utah Jazz. During eight seasons with the Jazz, Snyder established himself as one of the NBA's premier coaches, known for his innovative offensive schemes and emphasis on player development. Under his guidance, the Jazz became a perennial playoff contender, with Snyder earning recognition as a Western Conference All-Star Game head coach in 2021.

Snyder's tenure with the Jazz was marked by consistent improvement and adaptation. He took a team that had missed the playoffs for three consecutive years before his arrival and transformed them into a Western Conference powerhouse.

His ability to maximise the talents of players such Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert was and important part of Utah's success.

After resigning from the Jazz in 2022 with an impressive 372-264 regular-season record, Snyder's expertise was highly sought after. In February 2023, he returned to the Atlanta Hawks as head coach, tasked with elevating a talented but underperforming roster.

Snyder's coaching philosophy is a blend of analytical thinking, player empowerment, and tactical flexibility. He is known for his ability to design complex offensive sets that maximise player strengths while also implementing aggressive, switch-heavy defensive schemes. His background in law and business has translated into a methodical approach to game planning and player development, often drawing praise from players and fellow coaches alike.

Beyond his tactical acumen, Snyder's success can be attributed to his leadership style and ability to connect with players. He is known for fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, pushing his players to expand their skills while also giving them the confidence to make decisions on the court.

The fact that Snyder has emerged as a potential coach of the Australian Boomers is not surprising, given the Boomers program is quickly becoming one of the best in the world, after winning bronze at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo.