Derrick Washington has signalled his intentions to stay for another year to coach Launceston Tornadoes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The contract of the two-time WNBA assistant expires at the end of November.
But after a remarkable turnaround in fortunes from a shaky start to the season, Washington was keen to end speculation over his future.
“The plan is to stay,” he told The Examiner moments after the SEABL grand final loss.
“We’ll obviously talk about it now that the season is over.
“But my intention is to definitely coach on.”
Tornadoes general manager Corey Ackerly confirmed the club planned to enter discussions over extending Washington’s tenure past his debut season.
But the club was in no rush to negotiate terms to re-sign its fourth coach since 2016.
After starting out with a 1-4 win/loss record, Washington’s charges won 14 of the next 17 games to reach the championship decider.
Launceston fell at the last hurdle on Saturday night in a bittersweet 119-96 defeat to Bendigo at Melbourne’s State Basketball Centre.
Washington was pragmatic after facing the undisputed best women’s side all year that lost just once in 24 games – against the Tornadoes.
But the 28-year-old has a burning ambition to complete unfinished business.
“That’s certainly the goal,” Washington said.
“At the end, the result wasn’t what we wanted.
“But it doesn’t matter because we all grew as a team.
“That’s all I could’ve asked.
“I know that I want them to continue to be better.”
Washington admitted the Torns has enthused his love further for the game.
But he added that bringing a championship back to Launceston for the first time since 1995 was paramount.
“I have so enjoyed being able to coach at the Elphin Sports Centre – to be able to coach my first-ever head coaching job has been tremendous,” he said.
“To bring back a championship is what you dream of.
“I had dreamed of this day even before I got here, so to coach this side and be in the game has been great.”
While you're with us, did you know that you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates direct to your inbox. Sign up here.