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After helping the undermanned Wollongong Hawks get to an NBL Grand Final in his first year with the club, Gordie McLeod has won the National Basketball League’s (NBL) Lindsay Gaze Trophy as Coach of the Year for the 2009/10 season.

McLeod won the award by earning 59 votes to finish ahead of Perth coach Rob Beveridge (29) and Townsville’s Trevor Gleeson (28).

McLeod had his Hawks flying early in the season, winning five of their first six games. The Hawks ended the regular season with a 16-12 record. This meant that the team whom was predicted by many to finish last, finished second on the NBL ladder at the end of the regular season.

Under McLeod, the Hawks formed a chemistry which could be seen both on and off the court. They played team basketball throughout the season, averaging 16.3 assists per game, which got them to the NBL Grand Final. McLeod did it tough however, with Tywain McKee going down injured mid season. McLeod brought in former Sydney King Luke Martin to fill the role and lost nothing in doing so. Some of the younger Hawks in Rhys Martin and Tim Coenraad blossomed under the guidance of McLeod.

With McLeod at the helm, the Hawks became a defensive force this season limiting their opponents to 81 points per game on 44% shooting. The Hawks averaged 5.4 steals and 2.8 blocks per contest.

The Lindsay Gaze Trophy for NBL Coach of the Year award is named after the legendary Melbourne Tigers coach. It takes into account regular season performances only, and is voted on by head coaches, assistant coaches (one per club) and team captains (one per club) on a 3-2-1 basis. Balloters are unable to vote for members of their own club.

2010 NBL Coach of the Year – Voting

Geordie McLeod


59

Trevor Gleeson


28

Rob Beveridge


29

Joey Wright


22

Aaron Fearne


5