Basketball: Dickel's departure leaves huge void

Mark Dickel
Mark Dickel
Basketball Otago has suffered another setback with confirmation director of development Mark Dickel is leaving to join the Canterbury Rams as head coach.

The former Tall Black is the third BBO employee to leave the cash-strapped organisation since June.

Two board members have also resigned, with Gavin Briggs and deputy chairman Simon Eddy calling it quits.

Dickel, who was player-coach for the Otago Nuggets this season, could not be reached for comment but told Fairfax BBO's financial situation was a factor in his move.

''You're not immune to that stuff,'' he said.

BBO is expected to return a significant deficit for the financial period ending December 31, 2013.

A recent review of its financial performance prompted the resignation of former general manager Markham Brown in June, and office and events manager Sandy Wallace also finished up that month.

Dickel's departure means competitions manager Greg Brockbank is the sole remaining fulltime employee.

Dickel's absence will leave a huge void in the organisation. His work in Otago's development programme during the past few years has helped turn the province into a powerhouse at age group level.

Four Otago junior representative sides reached the top four at their recent respective national tournaments this year.

His ability on the court has been well chronicled. Even at 37, Dickel was still a force in the NBL, claiming the assists title this season and showing up players half his age.

He captained the side which made the playoffs last year and his decision to return to the Nuggets in 2011 inspired the likes of BJ Anthony to sign on with the franchise.

A veteran of more than 100 internationals between 1994 and 2011, he had a wonderful college career - leading the NCAA in assists during his senior season in 1999-2000 - and enjoyed a busy professional career, playing in some top leagues in Europe.

But those sublime playing skills appear to be permanently lost to the game, with Dickel not expected to suit up for the Rams.

Basketball Otago chairman Ricky Carr's reaction to Dickel's departure was rather muted.

''We wish him all the best, really,'' he said.

Carr said he learned of Dickel's resignation on Friday but had not spoken to Dickel.

''I got a forwarded email and that is all we wanted - we wanted to know whether he was in or out.''

Dickel had a year to go on his contract as director of development with BBO but the Nuggets coaching role was up for renewal.

Dickel's record of seven wins and 11 losses this season may have sparked some interesting debate as to whether to reappoint him.

He had a great season on the court but his recruitment decisions meant the Nuggets started the season without a proven outside scorer. It was a glaring omission which proved costly.

He also seemed to lack the type of connections some of the other coaches in the league enjoyed. Dickel failed to find a decent replacement for forward Marques Whippy, who was ruled out after just one game.

Southland Sharks coach Paul Henare, by contrast, appeared to pluck talent from thin air when his team had a series of setbacks.

Dickel will take up his role with the Rams in early October but, having made 124 appearances for the Nuggets since his debut as a 16-year-old in 1993, he told Fairfax it would be difficult to coach against his old side.

''It's going to be weird, for sure. I'm leaving a lot of people here I really like and care about.''


Mark Dickel
Nuggets record

Debut: 1993
Appearances: 124
Points: 1512
Rebounds: 483
Assists: 716
Steals: 210


 

Add a Comment