Hawks finalise revamped coaching staff for NBL23 season

Illawarra Hawks head coach Jacob Jackomas has unveiled who will be joining him on the coaching staff for the upcoming NBL23 season.

Assistant coach Shaun Roger will return for a third campaign with the foundation club and will be in charge of player development and video.

Joining Jackomas and Roger on the four-person coaching staff will be Paul Mellett and Lachlan Lonergan.

"I'm really excited to bring in two coaches with exceptional pedigree and experience like Paul and Lachlan to our organisation," Jackomas said.

"I've worked alongside both coaches in the past and believe they will bring a lot to our club - both on and off the court.

"Their strengths will compliment Shaun and I and I truly believe they can help us on our journey to winning a second NBL championship banner for the Illawarra region."

Melbourne-born Mellett spent 17 years as the City of Sydney Basketball director of coaching, where he worked alongside both Jackomas and Roger and helped the Comets win the 2016 under 14s national championship.

During his time in Sydney, he also coached numerous NSW Metropolitan sides at national championships, claiming one silver and two bronze medals in the process, won the 2006 and 2007 NSW Youth League Men's titles (seeing him named Coach of the Year in the former) and also worked as the Australian Emus (under 19s men) network coach (2009) and Sydney Kings assistant coach (2006).

Prior to his stint in NSW, he spent time in Victoria (1992-2000) and Queensland (2000-2004), starting with junior representative teams at Diamond Valley and Nunawading.

After winning the 1993 under 16 men's national title with Victoria Metro, he progressed into senior coaching with the Dandenong Rangers, steering them to the CBA Eastern Conference championship in 1997, as well as spending two campaigns with Knox.

Mellett then moved north and worked as an assistant with the Brisbane Bullets for four seasons, while also coaching the senior Southern Districts Spartans (champions in 2001 and 2003) and the under 18 men's Queensland South side.

Differently, Lonergan, who has a strong background in using basketball software, started his coaching career at the Comets in 2014.

During his seven seasons there, he coached numerous junior and senior Comets sides, including winning the 2019 state title with the under 16 girls division one outfit, and assisted with the under 16 boys NSW Metropolitan side.

This experience saw Lonergan appointed the Sydney Kings' intern coach in NBL20, which transitioned into the video coordinator in NBL21 and lead video coordinator/special assistant to the head coach in NBL22's championship season.

The addition of Mellett and Lonergan comes on the heels of the club's recent signings Wani Swaka Lo Buluk and Deng Deng.