29
Dec
CODE Sports
Inside the NBL’s unrealistic coaching exodus
Head Coach Stu Lash of the Bullets shows his emotions during the round three NBL match between Brisbane Bullets and Tasmania Jackjumpers at Brisbane Entertainment Centre, on October 04, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
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Andrew Gaze fears unrealistic expectations are crippling the careers of NBL coaches
- CODE Sports writes NBL clubs have dismissed seven coaches since 2023
- Most recently the Brisbane Bullets parted ways with rookie coach Stu Lash
- NBL legend Phil Smyth believes there needs to be more patience shown by NBL clubs
The NBL has parted ways with more coaches than the AFL in the past three seasons while the league’s coaching exodus is on similar path to the NRL.
It’s a reality that’s prompted to the NBL’s greatest player Andrew Gaze to declare the competition has an issue around hiring and firing coaches.
Gaze believes the proportion of blame in the NBL is “ridiculous” and the coach is often the fall guy over unbalanced or underperforming rosters.
“I think there is an understanding of what is realistic in some of the other leagues, but (in the NBL) there is a lack of understanding of what talent you have and what a realistic expectation is,” Gaze told Code Sports.
“Also what is required and the consequences of when you get the wrong appointment.”
One of the NBL’s best ever coaches — three-time champion Phil Smyth — says patience is the key for long-term success.
“If you are having multiple coaches over an extended period clearly your process is wrong,” said Smyth, who has worked as a coaching consultant with back-to-back AFL champions the Brisbane Lions.
“You can’t buy a championship and you have to build the culture and the team, but it takes time."
Gaze and Smyth’s assessments are backed up via the stats. Seven NBL coaches have been moved on since 2023, including many whose departures could have been avoided with superior due diligence.
This has been on show at the Brisbane Bullets this season via coach Stu Lash. The club took a risk hiring Lash from his front office senior advisor role with little heading coaching experience compared to his rivals.
The American worked tirelessly to make his stint a success, but the reality is he didn’t possess the resume to help the Bullets rise up the ladder.
Brisbane is in the process of finding a new head coach and the club has stated it is engaging in a global search.
NBL legend Darryl McDonald is currently the Bullets’ interim coach and many in the game would like to see him considered for the permanent role. League great Cal Bruton believes McDonald is worthy of a top coaching job.
For the full story on CODE Sports Basketball, click here.
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