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DAVID Hogan has wasted little time in finding a new basketball role following an agonising end to his playing career.
Hogan was forced to call time on his six-year SEABL career due to ongoing concussion issues.
The long-time back-up and 2016 national championship player has joined his former Braves coach Ben Harvey’s panel as an assistant.
He hopes it’s the first step on the path to an eventual head-coaching gig somewhere.
According to doctor records, Hogan, 28, has suffered six major and six minor concussions since he was 16 and a host of ‘other’ related head injuries.
“I had been all set for a big year and then it came crashing down,” he said.
“The week before I called it quits, I came off a screen and got what you would call an ‘incredibly light’ hit, enough to give me a swollen eye, but nothing much else.
“I ended up stumbling and passing the ball to an opposition player a few times.
“I’d had a delayed concussion in November last year and they told me then it was probably time I gave up sport to minimise the risk.
“Just how light this hit was and the effect it ended up having was scary.”
Hogan, who has been on the Braves’ roster since 2012, can recall vividly the moment he knew his playing career was over.
“I knew right away. It might sound a bit soft, but I sat in the car that night for about half an hour and just cried,” he said.
“I knew it was over – I knew I was well past my last chance.
“From there I sat down with my wife (Elise) and my parents a couple of days later and made the official decision.”
Hogan was due to meet with his neurologist on Friday for further tests.
I knew it was over – I knew I was well past my last chance.
- David Hogan
The hard-working guard could find humour in his playing exit, suggesting it would be a long time before we would see another Braves player take as many seasons as he had to reach 60 games.
But as the old saying goes, ‘when one door closes another opens.
Hogan will remain with the SEABL program as an assistant coach.
He could not be happier continuing his involvement with the club he has been a part of since his junior days.
“Coaching has also been a passion of mine, so maybe this is a blessing in disguise, getting into coaching a bit earlier,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed it – all the players have been very receptive, except (older brother and Braves 400-gamer) Chris, who doesn’t like me telling what to do.
“The other coaches have been awesome – Nick Salm and Michael Gibbins have been really helpful as well as the Braves board.”
Hogan was keen to openly thank those who had the greatest influence on his career, naming Mick Spear, Andrea Walsh, Pat Jennings and former teammates Chris Hogan, Taylor Bell, Kevin Probert and Kevin White.
He reserved special mentions for Chris Adkins and Daniel Hansen as players he had shared a pathway through the junior and development league ranks with and into their SEABL careers.
“The three of us certainly spent a lot of time sitting on the bench,” he joked.
Harvey said Hogan would be sorely missed in the playing group, but was confident he would make a successful transition to coaching.
“Statistically when you look back at his career, you are not going to judge him on his stats,” Harvey said.
“He’s probably averaged about five minutes a game in his career, but he’s never complained.
“He’s always worked hard and is always positive off the floor. What he does with our junior kids is amazing.
“His knowledge of the game of basketball is very good.
“At the end of the day, while we have lost him on the floor, now he’s in the hot seat and one of our assistant coaches.
“He’s doing some great analytical stuff with the guys and that is helping our team. It’s great to have his support.”
Braves co-captain Taylor Bell, who notched his 350th SEABL game last weekend, said it was important Hogan was not lost to the team.
“A lot of people don’t realise what David actually has brought to the group – his knowledge of this game is fantastic,” he said.
“The way he reads the game and understands it, it’s really important keeping him around our club.
“Not having him on the court at training has been difficult for the group and that’s something we have had to work to.
Saying that, he’s still a great role model. All our young kids like Tanner (Rayner) and Jake Lloyd will learn a lot from having David on the sideline.”