Mackinnon Bit By Coaching Bug

Brisbane and South East Melbourne basketball legend Sam Mackinnon took the reigns of the Bullets for just four games last season, but that was enough for him to catch the coaching bug.

The former Brisbane General Manager of Basketball – who also won a championship, league MVP and Grand Final MVP as part of the 2007 Bullets – has joined forces with former Magic teammate Mike Kelly at the Phoenix as an assistant coach.

He says following his stint in management, he’s ready to get back into coaching on a full-time basis.

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“I’ve been lucky enough to have the opportunity to pretty much fill all roles in the NBL,” Mackinnon said on RSN.

“The Brisbane journey was really good and something which I learned a lot from.

“Last year when I had the chance to be the interim coach for a few games – I think that’s my place, coaching.

“I think the most important thing for me is I’ve kind of found what I want to do. I’m really focused now on being a coach and learning and supporting Mike in the best way possible.

“As an assistant coach to Mike there’s total trust there, and really positive conversations with how to make the Phoenix better.”

Kelly will become just the second head coach in the history of the Phoenix when he takes to the sideline in Round 1 of the upcoming season.

Simon Mitchell held the position for the first four seasons of the club's existence, and led them as far as the semi-finals.

Mackinnon says Mitchell and all involved with the foundation of the club have done an exceptional job in putting it on the map.

“Being in the heartland of basketball in Victoria, I think they’ve made a very good start,” Mackinnon said.

“Simon did a good job coaching them, and now hopefully with myself and Mike as part of the coaching panel hopefully we can just get them up that little bit more.

“I think we’ve recruited really well at the moment. The rotation players and bench roles are really good.

“I feel like if we can get two imports and a Next Star to complement the roster, I’d be really happy.”

The careers of Kelly and Mackinnon have run parallel since they first found themselves hoisting the NBL trophy together at the South East Melbourne Magic back in 1996.

While Mackinnon spent time out of the NBL before returning with Brisbane, Kelly has been a near ever-present in the Australian coaching landscape since his playing retirement in 2005.

Their relationship goes further back than their time at the Magic though.

“30 years ago Mike used to pick me up across the road from my house in Greensborough and take me to what they call NBL1 training now,” Mackinnon said.

“Mike was the import, and I was a young fella in year 10.

“We played with the Magic and both our careers have gone in a little bit of a different journey, but we’re both in coaching now.”

The Phoenix will open their NBL24 campaign against local rivals Melbourne on Thursday, September 28.