A recent history on NBL caretaker coaches

Sam Mackinnon is the most recent in a long line of coaches who have had the difficult task of taking on caretaker duties.

In the past week, we have celebrated and mourned the start and end of another caretaker coach stint for the great Sam Mackinnon.

It wasn’t Mackinnon’s first time taking on the less than desirable role, and he certainly isn’t the only one in recent times who has been handed the reins midseason. Some have brief stints, others impress so much they turn it into a permanent gig, but either way, we’re here to give them the recognition they deserve.

Here’s a lowdown on some of the modern NBL era’s stand-in coaches.

Sam Mackinnon

South East Melbourne Phoenix (2024/25)

A one-game stint following the departure of Mike Kelly.

It didn’t get much harder in the form of cross-town rivals Melbourne United, but that meant it didn’t get much sweeter when the Phoenix pulled off a stunning victory, their first of the young NBL25 season.