Dean Demopoulos will try to do what Chad Jacobson and Conor Dow were unable to…replicate what Greg Jockims did!
Demopoulos was named the fourth head coach of the Saskatchewan Rattlers Wednesday. He replaces Dow, who took over as interim head coach when Jacobson stepped down following an 0-5 start to the 2021 Canadian Elite Basketball League season for the Snakes. Demopoulos is a Philadelphia product who spent 17 years as an assistant coach at Temple University, then moved on to the N-B-A for 13 seasons with Seattle, Portland and the L-A Clippers. Demopoulos has, also, been a head coach in the Australian professional loop. Saskatchewan finished with a 1-13 record and last place in the C-E-B-L for a second straight season. Jockims guided the Rattlers to the league title in the first year of the C-E-B-L’s existence in 2019, then stepped away to devote more time to concentrate on other endeavours. Following is the news release from the Rattlers…..
Saskatoon, Sask. – The Saskatchewan Rattlers announced Wednesday that they have appointed veteran NBA assistant coach, Dean Demopoulos as their head coach for the upcoming Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season.
“The Rattlers are working their way back to our 2019 championship year. We are rebuilding this season, from the front office to above the rim and are excited to see Dean Demopoulos bring a winning atmosphere to this province,” said Brad Kraft, Vice President, Saskatchewan Rattlers.
Dean Demopoulos, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, made his professional coaching debut in 1983 at Temple University where he was an assistant coach under John Chaney (Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame). During his 17 years with Temple University, the team held a winning record of 393-151 and made it to the annual NCAA “March Madness” Tournament 16 times. After Temple University, Demopoulos served as the head coach of Kansas City Roos in 2000.
Making his NBA debut in 2001, Demopoulos served as an assistant coach with the Seattle Supersonics under Nate McMillan and then went on to be a part of the Portland Trail Blazers coaching staff in 2005. After five seasons in Portland where he coached players like Greg Oden, Lamarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy, he was then hired by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2010 where he served for three years and coached NBA all-stars, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Demopoulos left the Clippers in 2013, and later signed on as the head coach of Melbourne United of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) in 2015. He led the team to an undefeated record as Melbourne finished the season in first place. Following his time in the NBL, Demopoulos became an assistant coach in the NBA G League for the Grand Rapids Drive (Detroit Pistons affiliate) during the 2018-19 season.
“I am excited to join the Saskatchewan Rattlers,” said Dean Demopoulos. “I am very thankful for this head coach opportunity and look forward to building the game in Canada.”
“I am thrilled to have Coach Demopoulos join the Rattlers for the 2022 season,” said Barry Rawlyk, General Manager, Saskatchewan Rattlers. “Demopoulos has an extensive resume, and a wealth of knowledge through his years in the NBA, NBL, and NCAA level University teams. We look forward to welcoming Coach Demopoulos to Saskatchewan and we are excited to have him lead our team.”
For more information on the Saskatchewan Rattlers professional basketball team – visit therattlers.ca
The CEBL is preparing for its fourth season starting May 2022 along with the inclusion of three new teams, the Scarborough Shooting Stars, Montreal Alliance, and the Newfoundland Growlers. The league saw record success in 2021 as millions of viewers across Canada and around the world tuned in to games via CEBL+, CBC television, CBC Gem, and in-person in all home arenas. It became the first professional sports league in Canada to return to play with fans in its venues in 2021.
