Could Adam Forde make a sensational return to Taipans

• ESPN reports Adam Forde will return to the Cairns Taipans after exploring opportunities overseas
• He spent four seasons as the Cairns coach, taking them to the semi-finals in his second year
• Forde was named NBL Coach of the Year in 2023

Cairns Taipans Head coach Adam Forde is set to return to the role after quitting in February, reports ESPN.

Forde, 43, was to explore opportunities overseas after four seasons in  Far North Queensland, with the club saying at the time he "has several options overseas, which he is currently assessing and exploring" and was to be part of the search to replace him.

Forde finished with a 47-66 record in 113 games in charge of the Taipans. His only winning season was 18-10 in NBL23.

It is believe that Cairns' imminent sale to private ownership, as reported by NBL Media, was the catalyst for the shift.

At the time of his departure in February, President Troy Stone praised the Forde's contribution during the past four seasons.

"Adam is at the end of a second two-year contract with us and we recognise that he has a very small window to weigh up his options and offers. He’s been upfront and transparent about all of this for some time now, so there are no surprises," Stone said.

"We encourage him to do what’s best, and what’s great is we have all been part of this process and also considered what’s best for the future of the Club.

"I want to acknowledge that the past four years has had its challenges, both on and off the court, but Adam has weathered the storms with excellence, integrity and leadership.

"He’s a brilliant coach and a good friend to many of us. We’re grateful for his tenure at the Taipans and we are all excited for Adam and his young family to take on their next chapter, knowing they will always have a home here in Cairns."

Forde joined the Taipans in 2021 after one season as head coach at the Sydney Kings before taking Cairns to the semi-finals in his second season, where the team took eventual champions the Sydney Kings to three games.

He was named the Coach of the Year in 2023 and recently celebrated 100 games with the Taipans and 150 games as an NBL head coach.

Forde started his NBL career at the Perth Wildcats in 2011 as an unpaid video technician. He was then appointed development coach, before becoming a technical assistant in August 2013. He became a full-time assistant in 2015 and as part of Trevor Gleeson's coaching staff, Forde won four NBL championships in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019.

Adam Forde's coaching career

• 2010: Rockingham Flames
• 2011: East Perth Eagles (assistant)
• 2011–2012: West Coast Waves (assistant)
• 2012–2015: East Perth Eagles
• 2013–2019: Perth Wildcats (assistant)
• 2019: East Perth Eagles
• 2019–2020: Sydney Kings (assistant)
• 2020–2021: Sydney Kings
• 2021: Hawke's Bay Hawks
• 2021–2025: Cairns Taipans

Accolades

• 4× NBL champion (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019)
• SBL champion (2014)
• NBL Coach of the Year (2023)