Goorjian has full confidence in Jackomas

Brian Goorjian says he has full confidence new head coach Jacob Jackomas can help the Illawarra Hawks to their first championship since 2001.

After two semi-final appearances in his two seasons at the Hawks, Goorjian, who will stay on as special advisor for basketball operations, believes success is close.

“I know it’s there. This thing’s going to knock on the door for a while. Jacob will take it to another level and the team will keep in that (finals) four for a long period of time, ” Goorjian said during a press conference on Thursday.

“Someday soon, they're going to break through and win this thing and nobody will be happier than me.”

While Goorjian said he planned to continue coaching elsewhere in 2023, he has a special place in his heart for the club and the Wollongong community.

“I love this team, I love this community, and in the role that I'm in, in any manner that I can help this organisation, I will and I think I can, I'll be putting energy towards that,” he said.

“I'm excited about the opportunity ahead and what I'll be doing and where I'll be coaching, but also, everybody understands that I'm committed to this (Illawarra), and whatever I'm doing in the future, I think can be helpful to this program.

“I will be coaching and I will be spending time here whenever I’m not.”

Describing Jackomas as “like a son to me and somebody I have the utmost respect for”, Goorjian backed his long-time assistant, the club’s 14th ever head coach, to carry on where he left off.

"The strides this organisation has made in the Illawarra community over the past two seasons have been incredible and I'm excited to see what Jacob, the returning players, owners and staff can do in the coming years.”