Praise rolls in for Vickerman after 250th game

Melbourne United Head Coach Dean Vickerman has been praised by his players and staff after securing a victory in his 250th game on Saturday evening.

The win was Vickerman’s 159th, giving him the second-best winning percentage among coaches to have coached 250 NBL games, only trailing Brian Gorjian.

Following a strong 14 point, eight rebound performance of his own, forward Jack White spoke glowingly about Vickerman.

“I love playing for Deano, I love playing for this club, I love what we’re all about.

“Obviously Deano is the head of the snake… I’m super happy for Deano with this milestone. I’m happy that the boys got the win and hopefully we can keep putting that win percentage higher and higher so he’s at the top of that list.”

Similar sentiments were voiced by long-time Vickerman assistant Justin Schueller, who has been by his side for both of United’s Championship victories.

Schueller said the 95-83 win was what Dean “deserved”, and that the club “needed to do that for him”.

Not one to simply accept praise, Vickerman did his best to deflect the attention towards all those at the club who make his life easier at Melbourne United.

“I want to thank my coaching staff, I’m the one that sits up here and speaks every week but the work that Justin Schueller, Rhys Carter, Dmack (Darryl McDonald) and our strength and conditioning team, high performance staff, the effort they put in to make this thing tick has allowed me to get to 250.

“Winning’s really important to me. Having a strong winning percentage and putting yourself in a position to make finals and contend for championships each year is what I’m all about and what this club is all about.”

Vickerman has got a pair of opportunities across Round 15 to further build up that winning percentage, first against the Perth Wildcats on Thursday evening, followed by Throwdown XV on Sunday afternoon.

Tickets, as well as three and five game memberships remain available for Thursday’s game.

Sunday’s Throwdown XV, delivered by DoorDash will be aired live and free on 10 Peach and Kayo Freebies at 1pm.