Mike Kelly to Lead the Phoenix

South East Melbourne Phoenix are proud to announce former NBL Coach of the Year, Mike Kelly, has been appointed head coach.

A 1996 South East Melbourne Magic Championship player and Grand Final MVP, Kelly brings a wealth of local and international coaching experience to the role.

“My family and I are excited to come back to South East Melbourne where so many memories were built, on and off the court,” said Kelly

“I appreciate the people that have helped me get here and the South East Melbourne Phoenix for entrusting me with helping this team compete for championships.”

Kelly’s last head coaching role was with the Cairns Taipans where he led the club from 2018-2021. He won the Lindsay Gaze Trophy for Coach of the Year in 2020, after steering his side to a semi-final appearance.

(Kelly was previously the head coach for the Cairns Taipans from 2018-21.)

Kelly has been Associate Head Coach at the Perth Wildcats for the past two seasons, and last year coached the Australian Boomers to the FIBA Asia Cup Championship in an undefeated 6-0 run.

Kelly has also coached in the American college system at Vanguard University and Utah Valley University.

Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer said Kelly was a standout candidate in an exhaustive coaching selection process.

“We are thrilled to have Mike return to South East Melbourne and the Heartland,” he said. 

“Following the interview and presentation process we aligned the candidates with our values and priorities as a club, and it became very clear Mike was the right person to take us to the next level and evolve our organisation.

“Mike’s coaching resume is outstanding and he is a great leader who we strongly believe will help our club achieve great success. 

“Mike will be a key decision maker in the ongoing construction of our playing roster as we continue to add new talent throughout the current Free Agency period and lead up to the next season.

“Mike is one of the most well-respected coaches in Australian basketball and will help drive our culture both on the court and in the community.” 

(Kelly has spent the last two seasons at the Wildcats as their Associate Head Coach.)

Kelly will arrive in Melbourne early next week to take the lead during the Free Agency period and prepare for NBL24.

Phoenix Media (30/03/23)