‘Didn’t ever think I’d get a chance’: Brian Goorjian’s admission as legendary coach returns in big Kings coup
Brian Goorjian is back.
The Sydney Kings confirmed the major coaching signing coup on Wednesday, announcing Goorjian will return as their new head coach for the next three seasons.
It follows the news last week that the NBL’s defending champions had parted ways with now former head coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah after a play-in loss to the New Zealand Breakers.
That defeat put an end to what had already been a disappointing season for the Kings, who finished with a 13-15 record and struggled for consistency as they went for three-straight titles.
Instead, Sydney came up well short of the three-peat goal, struggling on the defensive end in particular and decided after just one season in charge Abdelfattah was not the coach to lead the team forward.
It turned out to be a relatively straight-forward decision when you consider the man who will replace him, with Goorjian boasting six NBL championships in his coaching career.
Goorjian has also coached more games (803) than anyone in NBL history and holds a winning percentage of 68.87 in the Australian competition, having already claimed three championships previously with the Kings.
The Boomers coach, who took Sydney to five grand finals in his six years with the club, walked out in 2008 after a season marred by financial dramas.
In spite of that, Goorjian was still able to guide the Kings to another grand final appearance.
Now, almost 16 years later, Goorjian admits he is surprised to be returning as he prepares for a “full circle” moment.
“I’m pumped to be back in Sydney,” said Goorjian.
“Honestly, I never thought I’d leave Sydney the first time after we built everything from the ground up and were winning consistently – it felt like home to me and I thought I’d finish my coaching career there, as we’d built something really special.
“But when I left, I never looked over my shoulder as I didn’t think I’d ever get a chance to coach the Kings again – it’s amazing how life works like this sometimes.
“I’ve had a lot of great opportunities come to me in my career, so to be able to come full circle and come back where I’ve made so many special memories and my photo is hanging from the rafters, is going to be incredible.
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