South East Melbourne Phoenix Sack Mike Kelly as Head Coach
The South East Melbourne Phoenix have parted ways with their head coach, Mike Kelly, following a dismal start to the season. The team has failed to secure a win in their first five games, with their most recent loss coming at the hands of the Brisbane Bullets.
A Change in Leadership
Kelly’s departure was announced on Sunday morning, with assistant coach Sam Mackinnon taking over as interim coach. Mackinnon will lead the team for the first time against Melbourne United next Sunday. The Phoenix have not ruled out replacing Mackinnon mid-season if the right candidate becomes available.
Underwhelming Performance
Despite having a star-studded roster, the Phoenix have underachieved this season. Ex-NBA guard Derrick Walton Jr and Olympic medallist Nathan Sobey have struggled to find form, with Sobey’s shooting being a particular concern.
A New Direction
Phoenix chief executive Tommy Greer and general manager of basketball operations Simon Mitchell will address the media on Monday to explain the decision to sack Kelly. Mitchell stated that the team’s on-court performance was not meeting the club’s standards and expectations, and that a change was necessary to move the team forward.
Kelly’s Legacy
Kelly finishes his stint at the Phoenix with a 30.3 per cent winning record. He previously coached the Cairns Taipans between 2018 and 2021 and was named coach of the year in the 2019/20 season.
What’s Next?
The Phoenix will consider Mackinnon as an option to replace Kelly permanently, but will also explore other options. The team is committed to finding the right coach to lead them to success.
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