Schueller, Supercats part ways ahead of 2023 NBL1 season

GEELONG Supercats will be on the lookout for a new NBL1 men’s head coach this off-season following the departure of outgoing coach Justin Schueller.

The announcement comes just days before Schueller starts his fifth season as Melbourne United assistant coach and a month after his Supercats side were eliminated by Frankston Blues in the NBL1 South Elimination Finals.

Geelong United general manager of operations Lukas Bentley said Schueller had already stepped away from the role, allowing the process of finding a new coach to take place immediately.

“Effective immediately he won’t be coaching in 2023.

“He has some exciting opportunities both in Australia and overseas, which he will pursue in 2023 so won’t be able to coach our team.”

Schueller had missed a handful of games during the 2022 NBL1 South season due to the 2021-22 NBL Finals and the Under-17 FIBA Basketball World Cup in his role as head coach of the junior national side, but managed to lead the Supercats to the postseason despite his absences.

The Supercats concluded its 2022 season with a record of 12 wins and 10 losses, securing eighth position by a single game to qualify for the postseason.

Following early and mid-season departures from George Blagojevic (knee injury) and Jack White (acquired by Denver Nuggets), Geelong’s season was unceremoniously cut short in the first round of the playoffs.

In a statement by the Geelong Supercats’ parent body Geelong United Basketball, the association expressed gratitude for the role Schueller played during a severely disrupted two-and-a-half-year period.

“Geelong United Basketball would like to thank departing coach Justin Schueller as his tenure with the NBL1 Men comes to a close.

“Joining the club in 2020, Justin has been an integral part of the team as we battled through shortened seasons, cancelled games and injuries and illnesses to the squad.

“We wish Justin the best of luck into 2023 and beyond.”