Dennis in lead for Taipans’ top job
FORMER Townsville Crocodiles coach Shawn Dennis has emerged as the leading contender to replace Aaron Fearne as the Cairns Taipans head coach.
The Cairns Post understands there is mutual interest between the two parties as the Taipans are in the process of finding their first new coach in almost a decade.
Dennis, who was recognised by his coaching peers as the Coach of the Year for the 2015/16 NBL season, is currently coaching in Japan with the Shiga Lakestars.
The 52-year-old took over the Japanese club, who play in the Western Conference of the B. League, in the middle of 2017 after signing a two-year-deal.
Townsville handed Dennis his first head coaching role in the NBL in 2013 after he had great success in the New Zealand NBL and as an assistant with the Perth Wildcats.
Dennis signed with the Crocs for two more seasons before their sudden demise in 2016 and has continued to follow the NBL closely from Japan since relocating.
Greg Vanderjagt, who was an assistant coach in Townsville under Dennis, believes he would be a perfect fit for the Snakes after he kept the Crocs competitive despite their small budget.
“Everyone is aware that the Taipans are very interested in Shawn,” Vanderjagt said.
“With SD, it is about the relationship he develops with players, people want to play for Shawn. He fills his players with confidence and that comes through trust.
“Shawn is an outstanding person and he really maximised the talent he had in Townsville as he was working with a small budget.”
Cairns basketball product Matthew Adekponya, who was a training player under Dennis in Townsville in 2014 and 2015, can’t think of anyone better to lead the Taipans into the future.
“SD understands community and more importantly he understands people,” Adekponya said.
“He views the game differently than most and has a knack of getting the best out of his players and I learnt things that helped my game immediately.
“I feel like Cairns would really get behind a guy like SD and what he believes in – he tells it how it is and doesn’t settle.
“His coaching style is rather unique in terms of what I’ve experienced all over the world.”
Incumbent Taipans assistant coaches Jamie Pearlman and Jamie O’Loughlin have both confirmed they will apply for the Taipans top job while Brisbane Bullets assistant Mick Downer will also push for his first head coaching role in the NBL.