United sign Jacob Chance as Head Coach for next four seasons

Melbourne United is thrilled to announce that Jacob Chance has signed a four-year contract to return to the club as its Head Coach and Head of Basketball Operations ahead of the NBL27 season.

Following a global search and interview process which included candidates from top leagues such as the NBA and EuroLeague, the 32-year-old will take the reins of a United team where he spent two-years as an assistant under Dean Vickerman and progressed to a pair of Championship series.

Speaking to Melbourne United Media, Chance outlined his excitement to be coming back to Melbourne, while outlining his goals across the next four seasons.

“I couldn’t be happier to be coming back to Melbourne United with the aim of building on the success and culture that Dean established here,” Chance said.

“When you get into coaching and you start this journey, you kind of never really think these things are possible. I've been really lucky to work in great programs and for great people, and after an amazing 12 months over here in the US,
I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to come back and lead a club that I really enjoyed my time at.

“I’m looking forward to getting to work with a really good roster and help build the club over the next couple of years, hopefully winning a bunch of championships along the way.

“I'm certainly coming back as a better coach. I can't thank San Antonio enough for the last 12 months, it's certainly going to put me in good stead here for the next four years.

“Obviously it’s going to be fantastic to come back home. Being on home soil is going to be really awesome for myself and my partner Bree.”

Having started his NBL coaching journey with the Perth Wildcats in 2015, Chance was a part of four Championship victories, before spending two seasons with the Tasmania JackJumpers and two at United.

This past season as Head Coach of the Austin Spurs in the NBA G League, Chance led the team to the Playoffs with a 23-13 regular season.

Now back in Melbourne, Chance says he is driven to deliver the club its first Championship since NBL21.

“You get so close for so many years and you're just constantly looking for ways to improve, but I know that there's a really hungry group of players in Melbourne and a staff that is fully committed to winning.

“We want to be playing those big games come February and March.
We want to be there every year. We want to be sustainable with our success and we understand that comes from our process and how we attack things.

“I know that the fan base is hungry. I know the players are hungry and the staff's hungry, and I’m motivated to put the club in the best position to succeed every year we play.”

Chance’s appointment brings a close to the club’s global search for a Head Coach following Dean Vickerman’s departure.

Club CEO Nick Truelson, who made up part of the selection committee along with majority owner Travis Knipe, COO Mark Boyd, High Performance Manager Steve McAdam and Assistant Coach Jack Fleming, said Chance had always been the club’s top candidate for the position.

“From the first moment we started this search, we were blown away by Jacob’s vision for what this next era of Melbourne United could look like,” Truelson explained.

“We believe he is the perfect candidate to lead this organisation moving forward, while living and building upon our culture and values.

“Throughout our global Head Coach search we made sure we remained patient and stayed the course, as we knew with NBA, European and Asian competitions running through until mid-June, there would be some great coaches across the globe available to have as part of our process and that’s how it played out.

“While there were a collection of amazing candidates that we interviewed, ultimately we knew that Jacob was the right person for the role and we couldn’t be more excited for the direction he has laid out for the club.

“A huge thank you to all of the coaches who were part of the process and we wish them all the very best.”

Chance is set to begin his role on Monday 29 June, and will join club officials at NBA Summer League as United looks to round out its already elite local core with a trio of import stars.

Looking forward, Chance said he can’t wait to do whatever he can to bring as much success as possible for the club’s Members, partners and supporters.

“I think when you look at Travis and Aaron and what they're doing from an ownership group standpoint, and the transition that has happened off the floor, it's a really exciting time to be a Melbourne United fan.

“We're excited for September 19th and we know it's going to be a long season, but we're committed to putting in the work.

“I can’t wait to be back inside of a packed out John Cain Arena, it’s going to be special.”

Majority owner Travis Knipe added his anticipation at seeing Chance at the helm of the club for his first full season since coming on board.

“Bringing Jacob home was a top priority this offseason, and being able to say that we have a deal done is tremendously exciting,” Knipe said.

“As part of the selection committee, I got to see his passion for this club, and now that we’ve got pen to paper, I can’t wait to see Jacob, along with the rest of his staff and our players, put in the work to ensure that we continue to experience sustained success.”