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Vickerman to part ways with United for Japan
Dean Vickerman, head coach of United speaks to the team during the round 20 NBL match between Melbourne United and Adelaide 36ers at John Cain Arena, on February 07, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
After two titles, Dean Vickerman will leave Melbourne United with Trevor Gleeson up for the position
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Melbourne United is poised to part ways with coach Dean Vickerman, reports Matt Logue from CODE Sports Basketball.
CODE Sports revealed United will hold a press conference with Vickerman on Tuesday to announce his departure from the club following nine seasons.
It’s understood Vickerman and United came to an agreement over an early buyout of a deal which didn’t end until 2028.
It opens the door for Vickerman to replace Mody Maor as head coach for Nagasaki Velca in club’s debut season in the Japanese B.League.
CODE Sports first revealed Vickerman’s interest in coaching in Japan in February.
Vickerman helped transform Melbourne into a powerhouse force and one of the NBL’s best clubs - on-and-off the court.
He is contracted at United until the end of NBL28, but he is ready to take on a new opportunity in Japan.
The 54-year-old’s representatives had reached out to Japan to gauge interest. In a leaked email, seen by Code Sports, Japan Sports Marketing wrote to potential suitors that the Boomers’ associate head coach had “expressed strong interest in pursuing a new challenge in the B.League.”
But both Vickerman and agent Bruce Kaider have categorically denied those rumours, insisting they had not even been presented with any offers to consider.
It is widely assumed that former Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson will replace Vickerman as United’s new head coach.
For the full story on CODE Sports Basketball, click here.
