Simpson signs on as assistant coach

Adelaide 36ers are thrilled to announce Craig Simpson as the club’s new assistant coach for the NBL24 season.

Simpson comes to the club with an extensive coaching background, including an NBL championship win with South Dragons in 2009, and over a decade of experience coaching overseas.

After spending the NBL23 season as assistant coach at South East Melbourne Phoenix, Simpson said to join the 36ers family was one he couldn’t refuse.

“This is just a great opportunity for me, close to home, close to family, this has ticked a lot of boxes for me having been overseas for such a long time,” Simpson said.

“To come home and be involved, and to have CJ (Bruton) and Pop (Nik Popovic) there and the conversations I’ve had with Nic Barbato and Grant Kelley, I’m really excited.

“I just want to get there and get started.”

Head coach CJ Bruton is thrilled to add Simpson to his staff as he brings former head coaching experience to the group, along with Scott Ninnis.

“From his Dragons days to coaching overseas, Craig brings so much experience to this group,” Bruton said.

“To bring that head coaching experience as well to the group is something now all my staff have had over previous seasons.”

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After winning the NBL championship as an assistant coach at the Dragons, Simpson was the awarded the SEABL (NBL1 South) coach of the year in 2010 before spending a decade coaching in China.

Simpson said he got to know Bruton through working with Popovic and has had a number of conversations over the past few years about working together on the same coaching staff.

“To be able to work with quality people, this is really exciting,” Simpson said.

CRAIG SIMPSON FACT FILE
2008-09 - South Dragons (NBL – assistant coach)
2009-10 - Nunawading Spectres (Head Coach – NBL1 South)
2011-13 - Dongguan Leopards (CBA Development Team – Head Coach)
2013-15 - Australia Under 17 Men's National Team (Associate Head Coach)
2016-18 - Shenzhen Leopards (CBA - Foreign Head Coach)
2018-20 - ShanXi Dragons (CBA - Foreign Head Coach)
2022-23 - South East Melbourne Phoenix (NBL - Assistant Coach)
2023-current - Adelaide 36ers (NBL – assistant coach)