Five-time NBL Championship coach Trevor Gleeson hired by Milwaukee Bucks

Jed Wells

Five-time NBL Championship coach Trevor Gleeson hired by Milwaukee Bucks image

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. 

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

Jed Wells

Jed Wells Photo

Jed is a writer and social media producer, who has a keen interest in the intersection of sports and popular culture, especially basketball.