BASKETBALL
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New Illawarra Hawks coach Rob Beveridge has paid homage to his predecessor Gordie McLeod.
Beveridge had his first official day on the job on Thursday and was eager to sit down with assistant coaches Eric Cooks and Matt Flinn to start planning for the 2015-16 NBL season.
With no players signed for next season, the team will have to be built from scratch.
"This is pretty much day one," the former Perth Wildcats and Sydney Spirit coach said. "We're going to have lots of names we're going to throw on the whiteboard that we're going to debate about and work out who the best fit is.
"The thing I'm probably looking for is players with a bit of a chip on their shoulder. Guys that want to prove themselves, guys with great character who want to work hard with no excuses - those who have the fighting underdog type of mentality we're going to go with in every game."
Beveridge joined the Hawks on Monday, one week after McLeod decided to end his six-year tenure with the club.
He guided the Wildcats to the 2010 title, beating the McLeod-led Hawks 2-1 in the grand final.
Beveridge said all the right things on Thursday, acknowledging McLeod's legend status in the eyes of Hawks fans and describing him as a mentor.
"First and foremost, Gordie's a good friend of mine. He's part of my life," the father-of-three said.
"When I started coaching in the early '90s he was the head coach at the AIS and I was a scholarship coach there, so he took me under his wing and helped me.
"I've stayed in touch with Gordie forever. When he comes to Perth we catch up for coffee and that will happen here. I've already been in touch with him and he's been like a mentor for me."
Beveridge knows McLeod leaves big shoes to fill, but he also understands he has to be his own man.
"I'm not here to replace or try to be Gordie McLeod in any way, shape or form," he said. "It's about trying to continue and build on the legacy that he's left. He is Mr Illawarra and Mr Wollongong. This is his town. There's no way I'm coming in beating my chest or saying, 'Look at me'. We've gotta pay Gordie a lot of respect, for who he is and what he's contributed, and what he'll continue to contribute in the community."
Beveridge has every intention of having Hawks free agents Rhys Martin, Larry Davidson, Tyson Demos, Tim Coenraad and Oscar Forman on next season's playing roster.
"I've coached Larry as a junior and know what he can do and Rhys Martin is one of the premier point guards," he said. "Oscar Forman is one of the premier shooters and I play a pretty freelance game that opens things up for a lot of threes. Coenraad just had his best season and Demos is a fighter, a hard-nosed player who I coached as a junior.
"Just off the top of my head, those five will definitely be high on the discussion list. There's no way I'm throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Gordie's run a successful club for a long time. There's a core group there that has been to a grand final and semi-finals."
The 2015-16 season starts in October.
"We have to move real quick, but we can do something special here," Beveridge said.
"I want players who are hungry, who compete and play with heart and pride every single night. If anyone can't fit in with the right attitude, then they can't be in the team. I want people who want to be here 100 per cent."
"There is a core group that has had success in the past and know what to do and know you have to work hard to be successful. You complement it with other people and you can turn it around pretty quickly.
"I'm not saying we'll win the thing, but I promise we're going to be in there having a crack."