Flinn returns to Hawks

Former Illawarra Hawks coach Matt Flinn will return to the club’s sidelines this season as an assistant coach. 

Flinn coached the Hawks in the 2019/20 season, which is remembered as the year LaMelo Ball shined in Illawarra as part of the Next Stars program. The Hawks finished with a 5-23 record. 

Flinn also played 31 games for Illawarra from 1992-1994, before joining the Townsville Crocodiles in 1995. 

He most recently served as head coach of the Darwin Salties in NBL1 North, working with Hawks player Wani Swaka Lo Buluk.  

“I am eager to return to the Illawarra region and work with the Hawks once more. It is exciting to see what the team achieved in NBL24 under Justin Tatum's leadership, and I look forward to contributing to their success in the NBL25 season,” Flinn said. 

Tom Cranney, the former coach of the Hawks’ NBL1 East women’s team, also joins the coaching staff, which is led by head coach Justin Tatum. 

“Tom joins us from the Illawarra Basketball Association and an example of the strength of the sports pathway in the Illawarra,” Mat Campbell, Hawks General Manager of Basketball, said.   

“We are excited to have his expertise working across both the men's and women's pathways in the Illawarra to enhance the Hawks’ training model in NBL25. Cranney’s knowledge, combined with Flinn's experience, rounds out our coaching staff for the upcoming season, which is a great outcome for the club.

“We are delighted to see Flinn return to the club. He will be a valuable addition to the coaching staff under Justin Tatum's leadership.

“As we begin to see the players return ahead of the upcoming season, our pre-season is going extremely well, and we’re excited for the season to start.”