PHOENIX, COFFINO PART WAYS - Hoopsfix.com

PHOENIX, COFFINO PART WAYS

John Coffino is out as Cheshire Phoenix head coach

Although the American still has one year remaining on his current contract with the Phoenix, it is understood that relations had broken down between club and coach to the point where a parting of the ways had become inevitable.

One Nix board member told me prior to last weekend that: “it would be his (Coffino’s) decision.”

But although there is still to be some final haggling over the exact terms of the divorce, John Lavery is to return to the helm for the move to the new Oaks Arena next season.

“John Lavery has proven experience as a Head Coach in the BBL,” Mike Burton, the new club chairman, said in a statement, which also revealed he and James Brice would be Lavery’s assistants.

“Together with the supporting team we have installed around him, the board feel confident that we have put solid foundations in place to build a competitive team for next season.”

However Coffino – who declined comment when reached on Sunday – will likely find some demand for his services in Europe, having taken Cheshire to third in the BBL despite a high turnover of players.