London Lions Head Coach Vince Macaulay has been voted the BBL Molten Ed Percival Coach of the Year for 2018-19.
Macaulay has been a leading coach since picking up the whiteboard midway through the 2017-18 season, following the departure of Mariusz Karol, taking the London Lions to the BBL Playoff Final in 2018 and clinching the League and Cup double this season, a first in Lions franchise history.
The Lions have an astonishing 53-17-1 record since Macaulay returned to the sideline all the while rebuilding a Lions squad on the fly that had some difficulties during his early coaching tenure last season.
Based on his performance last season many around the league, and many Lions players, felt Macaulay deserved the coach of the year award last year, leading the Lions to their first playoff final since 2014 following a tough start.
This season the Lions were head and shoulders above the rest in the regular season, with the coach collecting three coach of the month awards this season whilst leading the Lions to the Trophy final and the Cup victory.
” He totally deserves this award, last year the players thought he deserved it…”
Andre Lockhart’s views on Macaulay winning the award.
Vince’s Lions as well as dominating the regular season are amongst the most entertaining sides to watch in the BBL, playing up tempo offensive basketball featuring MVP Justin Robinson, first year pro Jordan Spencer, the explosive Ladarius Tabb and the double-double machine Brandon Peel filling up the stats sheet all season.
The Lions’ had a tough end of season run in, with two fixtures against Newcastle Eagles, the plucky Plymouth Raiders, the trick Cheshire Phoenix and a potential title decider against the Riders on the last day. Macaulay lead the Lions to victories against all but Cheshire in their final month, clinching the title on the road to the Eagles.
The Lions play caller credited his coaching staff for clinching the award in an Instagram post, and has looked to lean on their experience and expertise during his tenure, going so far as having Coach Dave Greenaway taking the lead in the final game of the season, whilst Macaulay was in America on personal business.
Macaulay was obviously proud to clinch his second Coach of the year award, his first since the 2007-08 season. “[I’m] delighted to win this award, it’s testament to the hard work over a season by my Coaching Staff and my team, the ability to finish on top after a rigorous season despite being up there to be shot at, taking every team’s best blow. I am so happy that we set it as a goal, right at the start,ploughed through and achieved.”
The Lions had led the BBL from start to finish losing just 6 league games all year.
Andre Lockhart, Lions Vice Captain told Focushoops.com ” He totally deserves this award, last year the players thought he deserved it, so am extremely proud & happy for him. When he took over he changed the culture completely and got the best out of the players including myself. He has been a huge boost for myself. “
The Lions missed out on a chance at the league, cup, playoff treble with their shock loss to the Plymouth Raiders in the Benecos BBL Playoff Quarter final, but despite that, the Lions, and their play-caller, have had a season to savour.
FocusHoops 