The Brisbane Bullets have parted ways with head coach Justin Schueller following a disappointing 2024-25 NBL season that saw the team fail to qualify for the playoffs. Schueller’s dismissal comes after speculation mounted regarding his job security as the Bullets limped to a 12-17 record, finishing well outside the top six.
In a statement released by the club, Bullets CEO Mal Watts confirmed they would begin the search for a new head coach to lead the team into the future. “We are running a process to identify the best person to lead the next phase of the Brisbane Bullets’ resurgence,” Watts said. “This is a crucial decision for the club, and we are committed to ensuring we have the best direction in place to drive our team forward and deliver a strong and competitive season.”
Injury-Riddled Campaign Derails Bullets’ Season
The Bullets endured a nightmare run with injuries this past season, with numerous key players missing significant stretches:
- James Batemon
- Josh Bannan
- Tyrell Harrison
- Sam McDaniel
- Rocco Zikarsky
- Deng Adel
- Emmett Naar
- Jarred Bairstow
The injury toll took a major toll on the Bullets’ performance and continuity. Earlier this month, the club announced it would commission an independent review into the spate of injuries in an attempt to identify any underlying issues or necessary changes to their training and medical programs.
Schueller Optimistic Despite Dismissal
Despite his ultimate dismissal, Schueller had remained publicly optimistic about Brisbane’s future in the wake of their season-ending loss to Cairns on February 6th. “We really believe in the people we’ve got around and it won’t be exactly (the same group), but as close to I think gives us a real shot,” Schueller said at the time.
“Sometimes years like this are right before when it really becomes what you’re building to and I know we’ve got something special building right now.”
– Justin Schueller, former Brisbane Bullets head coach
Schueller took over as Bullets head coach in 2023 after serving as an assistant with the Perth Wildcats. In his two seasons at the helm, Brisbane posted 13-15 and 12-17 records, missing the playoffs in both campaigns.
Building Blocks in Place for Bullets’ Next Coach
While the Bullets will have a new head coach patrolling the sidelines next season, there are some promising pieces in place that bode well for a relatively quick turnaround:
- Star import Casey Prather has already re-signed for the 2025-26 season. The high-scoring American wing averaged over 19 points per game last season.
- Rising stars like Josh Bannan and Tyrell Harrison showed exciting potential when healthy and should only continue to develop with more experience.
- The Bullets have a stable ownership group and front office committed to building a championship contender.
Despite the fresh slate, expectations will be high for whoever takes over as Bullets head coach. With the right hire and better injury luck, Brisbane has the potential to quickly rebound into a playoff team next season. The process of identifying and securing their new leader begins now, with the pressure on to make a home run coaching selection.
