Rival coach: Tatum deserves permanent job

The good times have kept rolling for the Illawarra Hawks since Justin Tatum’s appointment as interim head coach, and Adelaide counterpart Scott Ninnis believes the American has shown enough in his short tenure to be named the Hawks’ full-time head coach moving forward.

Illawarra has won five of its seven games under Tatum, and one of those defeats came by just one point against Brisbane in Round 9.

After a tight first half in which Adelaide took a lead into the main break, Illawarra exploded in the third term to lay the bedrock for yet another hard-fought win. Had other results gone their way over the round the Hawks could have even found themselves in the top six heading into Round 14.

“It’s been outstanding, the turnaround they’ve had – it’s been nothing short of amazing,” Ninnis said after his side’s defeat to the Hawks.

“I don’t think there’s any interim about him. I think he’s shown and proven enough that he deserves his job moving forward.”

Ninnis’ comments have come after NBL analysts Derek Rucker and Damon Lowery have both previously attested Tatum should be the leading candidate for the job once the NBL24 season is over.

Tatum was typically coy on his chances of being named head coach, and says he’s always seen himself as a coach regardless of his current title.

“I’m these guys’ coach from now until whenever, but I’m fine with whatever people say,” Tatum said.

“Interim, head coach, or juts my first and last name, I’m good with it.”

Illawarra’s win over Adelaide has moved the side to a 7-9 record on the season.

The Hawks will next play the Phoenix on Friday, January 5.