The Southland Sharks have started the search for a new head coach after Guy Molloy informed them he will not return to Invercargill.
In two disappointing National Basketball League (NBL) seasons in the Deep South, Molloy guided the Sharks to a 10-28 record, finishing eighth (of 10) in 2023 and 10th (of 11) last season.
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The experienced Australian coach finished his NBL commitments in July, returning home to pick up his role in charge of the Sydney Flames in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL).
With the NBL’s 2025 start date likely to be brought forward to mid-March, Molloy’s availability for the Sharks’ preseason and early-season was put into question, meaning he made the difficult decision not to return.
“When I sat down with the club to work through our off-season plans and looked at the timing, we knew it would be tight," Molloy said.
"If the Flames go through to the Finals, there’s potential that I could be turning up the day before our season opener and that’s not fair on anyone, most especially the Sharks players."
“I care too much about the organisation and our fans to do that and if there’s one thing that was obvious from the first half of last year’s campaign, it is that making a strong start and preparing well through the preseason is vital. The dates for next year just don’t allow for that to happen.
“It’s a call I didn’t want to make but it’s the only one that is fair for all parties."
After an 11-game losing streak to start last year’s campaign, Molloy rallied the Sharks to four wins over the final nine games.
Meanwhile, the two-time defending champion Canterbury Rams have quickly filled their head coach vacancy after Judd Flavell was appointed to lead the Tall Blacks, with assistant Quinn Clinton being promoted.
The 25-year-old, who was part of the Rams roster when the franchise ended a 31-year NBL title drought in 2023, coached Christchurch's Christ's College to the AA national secondary schools crown last week.
Flavell will continue to be involved with the Rams coaching staff and will assume a hands-on role with the players, continuing as the high performance director for the Rams, Tauihi league's Mainland Pouākai and Mainland Eagles Academy for the next two years.
Liam Connelly will continue on as an assistant coach.
“We have worked hard together with Judd the past three seasons in preparing both Quinn and Liam, and we believe they are both ready for bigger roles," said Rams general manager Caleb Harrison.
"With Judd working alongside them the entire way, it gives our organisation the unique opportunity of building long-term sustainable success."
At least four NBL teams will have new head coaches in 2025, with Cam Gliddon at the Auckland Tuatara, Aaron Young with the Wellington Saints, Clinton at the Rams and the yet-to-be-confirmed Sharks leader.