NBL coaching great Trevor Gleeson has been given another shot at the NBA, with the Milwaukee Bucks announcing Thursday that the two-time NBL Coach of the Year had been added to their coaching staff.
Gleeson, 55, spent the previous two seasons as an assistant for the Toronto Raptors, where he coached alongside current Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin.
Prior to this, Gleeson presided over a Perth Wildcats dynasty in the NBL, leading his team to five NBL championships in nine years.
The Milwaukee Bucks hired Trevor Gleeson as an assistant coach on Adrian Griffin’s staff, Griffin said in Brooklyn tonight. Gleeson spent the past two years with Griffin on the Toronto Raptors staff, and previously won five titles as a head coach in Australia’s NBL.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 27, 2023
Ahead of the Bucks' game against the Brooklyn Nets in New York, Griffin announced to the media that Gleeson would be coming on board, and praised the Aussie's ability as a coach.
"First, I want to welcome Trevor Gleeson to our coaching staff," Griffin said.
"Well respected coach from Australia and the United States. Had the pleasure of working with him in Toronto.
"Five time NBL champion. Brings a wealth of experience with him. Just a great all-around guy, so he'll make a great addition to our staff."
Gleeson shuns NBL gigs to remain in NBA
After finishing up with the Raptors, Gleeson's name was thrown around in NBL coaching searches, with both the Illawarra Hawks and Adelaide 36ers firing their coaches mid-season, but Gleeson has instead opted to remain in the United States, joining a Milwaukee team with clear championship aspirations.
The Bucks are currently 22-8 on the season, sitting in second place in the East heading into their game against Brooklyn.
Despite a rocky start, their off-season addition of Damian Lillard has begun to pay dividends for the team, and they will be a serious contender to be the team representing the East in the NBA Finals next June.
Trevor Gleeson coaching career
| YEAR | LEAGUE | TEAM | POSITION |
| 1990-91 | Big V | Warrnambool Mermaids | Head Coach |
| 1992-93 | Big V | Warrnambool Seahawks | Head Coach |
| 1997-2000 | NBL | Brisbane Bullets | Assistant Coach |
| 2000-01 | CBA | Quad City Thunder | Assistant Coach |
| 2002-03 | G-League | Sioux Falls Skyforce | Assistant Coach |
| 2003-04 | G-League | Sioux Falls Skyforce | Head Coach |
| 2004-05 | KBL | Seoul Samsung Thunders | Assistant Coach |
| 2005-06 | KBL | Jeonju KCC Egis | Assistant Coach |
| 2006-11 | NBL | Townsville Crocodiles | Head Coach |
| 2011-12 | NBL | Melbourne Tigers | Head Coach |
| 2013-21 | NBL | Perth Wildcats | Head Coach |
| 2021-23 | NBA | Toronto Raptors | Assistant Coach |
| 2023-Present | NBA | Milwaukee Bucks | Assistant Coach |
