Thank you, Trevor Gleeson

Trevor Gleeson has requested to be released from the final year of his Perth Wildcats contract, after receiving an NBA coaching opportunity

The club has accepted the request, marking the end of an era for Perth.

In Gleeson’s eight seasons at the helm of the Wildcats, he’s led the club to five NBL Championships, making it the most successful period in the organisation’s 40-year history.

“I’m excited by the opportunity, but I’m very sad to leave a great organisation like the Perth Wildcats,” said Gleeson.

“I still remember being interviewed by the board in 2013, and the faith and support they gave me all the way through has been incredible.

“When Dawn had her reoccurrence of breast cancer, the support the Perth Wildcats, the Perth community and the Red Army gave us around that time was something I’ll never forget. They embraced us, and Perth is always going to be home for us.

“We tried to give back as much as we could to the community with the Pink Game, and we won a few championships along the way.

“It’s been an unbelievable eight-year journey, it exceeded my expectations on every level. It’s very much mixed emotions to be leaving players and coaches that I love, as well as the organisation and the staff. But I know it will be a happy chapter of my life when I look back on it. I’m ready for this next adventure.”

Trevor Gleeson joined the Perth Wildcats in 2013 and went on to coach a club-record 269 games, winning 171 of those.

He claimed a title in his first season (2013/14) before becoming the first Wildcats coach to win multiple titles just two years later (2015/16).

In 2017, he became the first coach in Perth’s history to go back-to-back and, in 2019 and 2020, was able to repeat that incredible accomplishment.

Last month, he was named NBL Coach of the Year for 2021.

To put Gleeson’s five championships with the Wildcats into perspective, no other team has won more than four titles in total.

Perth Wildcats CEO Troy Georgiu thanked Trevor Gleeson for his enormous contribution to the club.

“Legacy is something we value here at the Perth Wildcats, and Trevor’s is unparalleled. Very few have had his impact on this organisation’s great history,” said Mr Georgiu.

“His recruiting changed the game, and his ability to have his playing group buy-in to his system is remarkable. He builds teams for Finals success, and his record is testament to that. 

“Everyone at the Perth Wildcats organisation, and the wider Red Army as a whole, is extremely grateful for the success and wonderful memories Trevor has brought us.

“He deserves this exciting opportunity to take this next step in his career. We wish him nothing but continued success.”

With three months to the commencement of the 2021/22 NBL Season, the Perth Wildcats now turn its attention to the challenging task of recruiting a replacement for Gleeson.

The club is putting together a high-calibre selection panel, so the process can begin immediately.

Trevor Gleeson

Head Coach Perth Wildcats 2013-2021

269 games (63.8% win rate)

NBL Championship: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020

NBL Grand Finalist: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021

NBL Finals: 2014-2021

2021 NBL Coach of the Year

460 NBL Games Coached: 5th Overall (Townsville 163, Melbourne 28, Perth 269)