Khalu Elevated to Associate Head Coach as Hawks Assistants Sweep Coach of the Year Honours

One of the key architects behind the Illawarra Hawks' NBL25 championship success will remain at the club, with Joel Khalu re-signing on a two-year deal and being promoted to Associate Head Coach.

The elevation reflects Khalu's growing influence within the Hawks program since arriving alongside Head Coach Justin Tatum during NBL24. Entering his fourth season in Wollongong, the appointment recognises his impact on the club's culture, player development and sustained on-court success.

Illawarra Hawks Chief Operating Officer of Basketball Mat Campbell said the appointment and contract extension were fitting recognition of Khalu's outstanding work and reflected the value he brings to the organisation.

"Joel has been an integral part of everything we've built over the past three seasons, and this appointment recognises the value he brings to our basketball program," Campbell said.

“He and JT have formed one of the strongest coaching partnerships in the league and their alignment has been a major factor in the success we've enjoyed. Providing continuity within our coaching group was a priority, and we're delighted to have JK remain with the Hawks while stepping into the role of Associate Head Coach."

Head Coach Justin Tatum said Khalu had earned the promotion through the impact he has made on the program since arriving in Wollongong.

"JK makes everyone around him better. He challenges our players every day and he's been a huge part of creating the culture that's made us successful,” Tatum said.

Khalu said he was honoured by the club's faith in him and excited to continue the work that’s made the Hawks one of the NBL’s benchmark programs.

"I'm incredibly grateful to the club for the opportunity and for the confidence they've shown in me," Khalu said.

"It's a privilege to continue working alongside JT, Mat, our staff and this playing group.

"To be recognised with the Associate Head Coach role means a great deal, but ultimately it's a reflection of what we've built together as a group. Winning a championship in 2025 was an unforgettable achievement, but we're all driven to do it again. My focus remains on helping our players improve every day and doing everything I can to help the Hawks set the standard across the league.”

Two assistants. Two Coach of the Year awards. Two teams still standing.

Khalu's appointment comes in the middle of another outstanding coaching campaign in the NBL1 North. He is currently coaching the Cairns Marlins, who finished the regular season a historic 16-0 and head into the finals this week. Khalu was this week named 2026 NBL1 North Coach of the Year.

He is not the only member of the Hawks coaching group collecting silverware. Fellow assistant Matt Flinn was named 2026 NBL1 East Coach of the Year after leading the Illawarra Hawks to a 16-4 record and top spot on the ladder. His side also begins its finals campaign this weekend.

That 2026 honour continues one of the most decorated records in Queensland basketball. As Head Coach of the Mackay Meteors, Khalu delivered three Queensland league championships across the QBL and NBL1 North in 2015, 2021 and 2024. He remains the only coach to win Queensland league Coach of the Year four times, taking the award in 2015, 2022, 2024 and 2026.

Internationally, Khalu served as Assistant Coach of the Australian Emus Junior National Team from 2022 to 2025, helping Australia capture the FIBA U17 Oceania Championship and the FIBA U18 Asia Cup before finishing sixth at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The new deal provides important continuity as preparations continue for NBL27, with one of Australian basketball’s most respected coaching partnerships committed to building on the success of the club’s championship-winning campaign.
 
The coaching group that built a championship is staying put. Sixteen home games at WIN Entertainment Centre to watch them work, from Adelaide on Friday 2nd October through to Brisbane on Thursday 4th February.

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