Jacob Chance joins United as Assistant Coach

Written by Melbourne United Media 

Melbourne United have added one of the country's brightest young coaching minds with the addition of Jacob Chance for the next two seasons as an Assistant Coach.

Chance's move comes after two years as the Associate Head Coach with the Tasmania JackJumpers, and four Championship victories across his time with the Perth Wildcats from 2016 through to 2021.

Speaking to MU Media, the 29-year-old touched on his anticipation ahead of touching down in Melbourne and joining his fellow coaches.

“I’m extremely excited to join the club,” he said.

“I think Melbourne United is up there with the most decorated clubs in the league, so I can’t wait  to get to Melbourne and get involved with the great organisation and facilities that the club has.

“It’s been a club that I’ve had a lot of history with in my time with Perth and Tasmania building some great rivalries.

“It was a really difficult decision to leave Tassie but my partner and I are really excited about giving ourselves some stability here and enjoying the lifestyle in Melbourne surrounded by great people.”

His signing follows United’s search to continue forming its coaching staff, which featured almost 100 applicants.

A number of coaches were shortlisted and interviewed, including a collection of international coaches from Italy, Germany and Serbia, and a female coach.

Looking at the newest member of his coaching staff, Head Coach Dean Vickerman spoke highly of Chance, who he worked alongside during his stint as interim Head Coach for the Australian Boomers.

“Jacob’s going to add to our program enormously,” he said.

“He’s got a wide-ranging skillset. Anytime you can add someone of that calibre to your coaching staff, someone who has the opportunity to grow with your group, you take it.

“He’s just got a growth mindset, he just wanted to continue to get better and I think part of his reason to come to Melbourne is to feed off the resources we’re surrounded by in the other great sporting teams in the city.”

Chance will stay busy throughout the offseason after being announced as the Head of Video & Analytics for the Boomers’ upcoming World Cup campaign.