Paris Olympics 2024: Boomers coach Brian Goorjian confirms departure after quarter-final exit

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Paris Olympics 2024: Boomers coach Brian Goorjian confirms departure after quarter-final exit

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has confirmed his departure from the role in the wake of his side’s exit at the quarter-final stage of the Olympics overnight.

A campaign which promised much came to a close after a 95-90 defeat to Serbia overnight, with the Boomers needing a brilliant game-tying shot from Patty Mills to send the contest to overtime despite leading by as much as 24 points in the first half.

The chaotic finish to regulation time saw Serbia call for a timeout despite having none remaining, not being assessed for a delay of game technical foul despite FIBA rules saying they should have been.

But they advanced thanks to a brilliant performance from superstar Nikola Jokic, who hit the go-ahead bucket and a game-sealing fadeaway late in overtime to cap off in his 21-point, 14-rebound, nine-assist effort.

The loss was a third in four games in Paris for the Boomers, who started their tournament with a win over Spain before losing to Canada and Greece, leaving them reliant on other results to even progress to the knockout stages.

Goorjian, whose two stints with the Boomers included four Olympics and a bronze medal win in Tokyo, had said multiple times in the lead-in to the Games he would not seek a contract extension and confirmed after the game he had coached the side for the final time.

“This was always the plan,” Goorjian said.

“I think I’ve been an important piece of this process and I think it’s time to move away.

Camera IconBrian Goorjian hugs Patty Mills after the Boomers claimed Tokyo’s bronze medal. Credit: Eric Gay/AP

“I think when I get off the plane, I walk away feeling proud of my contribution over the 16 years I’ve been involved with the Boomers.”

The 71-year-old, who will now take over NBL side Sydney Kings, said he was happy to pass the torch to the next generation in what was “a really exciting time for *********** basketball”.

“I said this going into the (world cup), it’s not an extension of (bronze in Tokyo), that thing was maxed out, now you’re on a new journey,” he said.

“These guys get their first taste of this and we compete like we did in this tournament, I think the future is bright and I don’t think we’ve lost much.”

Assistant coaches Matt Nielsen and Adam Caporn shape as major contenders for the vacancy.

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconPARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 06: Josh Giddey #3 of Team Australia reacts during the Men’s Quarterfinal match between Team Australia and Team Serbia on day eleven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 06, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Star guard Josh Giddey, one of the team’s best performers at his first Olympics, was visibly emotional after the game, saying fans of the sport “deserve a lot better than this”.

“We had so many chances. When you have the guys we have on this team, you believe you have the ability to go all the way,” he told Channel Nine.

“We put ourselves in a great position to win that game and we come up short like that in overtime. It’s heartbreaking.

“It ****** me that I have to wait four more years for another chance at this but I’m so proud of this group, I love this team.”

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