How Gleeson helped shape the NBL’s next generation

Less than a week ago, it was announced that two-time Coach of the Year Trevor Gleeson would be returning to the Hungry Jack’s NBL with the Adelaide 36ers, after a stint abroad in the United States and Japan.

Prior to that stint, Gleeson established himself as one of the League’s top coaches, winning five championships across his 14 years in the competition with Townsville, Melbourne and Perth.

During that time, Gleeson had numerous assistants work with him, who have now gone on to pave their own careers as Head Coaches.

Scott Roth spent time as Gleeson’s assistant coach between 2019 and 2021 at the Perth Wildcats, with the pair winning the NBL20 title together.

Since then, Roth has established himself as one of the NBL’s top coaches with the Tasmania JackJumpers, guiding them to their maiden championship in NBL24.

During his five seasons in the Apple Isle, NBL22 Coach of the Year Roth has become part of the JackJumpers’ fabric, guiding them to the post-season in all but one campaign.

Similarly, Adam Forde, who was an assistant in Perth between 2013 and 2019, has forged his own path after learning from Gleeson.

Forde has been a Head Coach in both Sydney and Cairns, spending five seasons at the latter.

During that stint with the Snakes, Forde has won the NBL23 Coach of the Year and came within one game of the 2022–23 Championship Series.

Forde has since taken the reins of the Australian Gangurrus 3x3 men’s team.

Two other key names who worked with Gleeson at the Wildcats are Matthew Nielsen and Jacob Chance.

Sydney Kings great Nielsen joined the Wildcats as an assistant between 2015 and 2019, where he won three titles (2016, 2017 and 2019).

Following that, Nielsen headed to the United States, working with the Austin Spurs in the NBA G League as an assistant in 2019–20, before serving as Head Coach in 2020–21.

Since then, Nielsen has worked with the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant coach.

Finally, Chance also started his coaching journey with the Wildcats in 2015 as their video and development coach, before eventually becoming an assistant coach in 2019.

After four titles in Perth, Chance joined Tasmania as their Associate Head Coach between 2021 and 2023, which was followed by two seasons with Melbourne United.

During this time, Chance has held multiple roles with the Australian Boomers, including Interim Head Coach in 2025 and being on the staff for both the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Currently, Chance is following in Nielsen’s footsteps and working as the Austin Spurs' Head Coach.

All of these coaches can credit the tutelage of Gleeson for playing a part in their successful hoops journeys.