Hawks coach Rob Beveridge has committed to building an empire in Wollongong, signing on for another four years.
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In an announcement which was met with rapturous applause at the Illawarra end-of-season awards dinner on Friday, Beveridge declared there was unfinished business with the NBL club.
Beveridge replaced Gordie McLeod this season, leading the Hawks to the playoffs, where they lost to Perth in three games.
It’s a massive coup for the Hawks, with Beveridge’s family to move from Perth – where he won the 2010 title with the Wildcats – to the Illawarra.
"I am really excited about re-signing with the Hawks,” Beveridge said.
“We had a tremendous year and I am very proud of what we achieved this season. We’ll immediately look to re-sign the core group and retain as many players as possible and ensure that we will continue to play an up tempo and exciting brand of basketball.”
Beveridge’s commitment is expected to mean the reigning NBL MVP Kevin Lisch, the fourth Hawks player to win the league’s top honour, will sign on again.
It is also likely AJ Ogilvy and Kirk Penney will be back.
The Hawks finished third, falling to Perth after leveling the series on home court in game two.
Lisch is hoping to gain Australian citizenship, which would allow him to play in the green and gold at the Olympics and also free up an import spot on the roster.
“There’s talk of having three imports, so if he gets his citizenship it potentially means there’s three import spots,” captain Oscar Forman, also yet to re-sign, said.
“But then having Kirk Penney and AJ is like having two imports anyway. One of the strengths of this group was we were so close and had good coaching staff, we recruited good people.
“We do want to come back and prove ourselves.”
Beveridge's re-signing continues a remarkable turnaround for the Hawks, who finished last the previous season and entered voluntary administration.