Doug Plumb Named NBLC Coach of the Year

May 9, 2023 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada) News Release

London Lightning head coach Doug Plumb, who led his squad to the league's best record for the second year in a row, has been named NBL Canada Coach of the Year, league officials announced today. This is a back-to-back honour for Plumb, who was also named Coach of the Year in 2022.

"What an impressive season for Doug," said Audley Stephenson, NBL Canada Commissioner. "Here's a guy who always gets the most out of his players. After a championship season in 2022, he comes back and repeats as the best team in the league with almost an entirely new roster. That's quite a testament to his abilities as a coach."

In 2023, the B.C. native led the Lightning to a 25-6 regular season record, including a 14-3 mark at home, earning the franchise the top seed in the playoffs. Plumb crafted perhaps his stingiest defense, with the Lightning holding opponents to league lows in points per game, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage.

Stephenson continued, "His concentration. His intensity, His attention to detail. His ability to hold his players accountable. Doug is unmatched as a coach."

The 34-year-old Plumb's resume includes stints as both an assistant coach and head coach with the St. John's Edge and elite skill development with the likes of Nike Basketball, NBA players, and some of Canada's talented young high-school and college athletes.

After serving as Lightning assistant coach in 2016-17, Plumb led his first Bolts squad to a 15-8 record in 2019-20, as they sat atop the central division before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the season.

In 2022, Plumb helmed the Lightning to a 20-4 regular season record, earning the franchise the top seed in the playoffs and finishing a league-record 12-0 record at home. In the playoffs, he took the team to its fifth title with an undefeated run.

Plumb is the third member of Lightning franchise to win the award, and the second to do so twice, following Michael Ray Richardson in 2011-12 and 2012-13 and Kyle Julius in 2016-17. Previous winners of the NBL Canada Coach of the Year Award include:

2011-12 | Michael Ray Richardson, London Lightning

2012-13 | Michael Ray Richardson, London Lightning

2012-13 | Joe Salerno, Summerside Storm

2013-14 | Bill Jones, Windsor Express

2014-15 | Josep Claros, Halifax Rainmen

2015-16 | Hugo Lopez, Halifax Hurricanes

2016-17 | Kyle Julius, London Lightning

2017-18 | Mike Leslie, Halifax Hurricanes

2018-19 | Joe Salerno, Moncton Magic

2019-20 | Joe Salerno, Moncton Magic

2022 | Doug Plumb, London Lightning

All award winners will receive their own customized championship plaque courtesy of long-time NBL Canada partner and playoff sponsor, Baron Championship Rings.

London Lightning Head Coach Doug Plumb

National Basketball League of Canada Stories from May 9, 2023

• Doug Plumb Named NBLC Coach of the Year - NBL Canada

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