Doug Leichner was one of the best coaches to work in the Irish league, leading Demons to the treble in his one year at the club

When American native Douglas Leichner came to coach UCC Demons in 2008, little did he know at the time that he would leave a lasting historic legacy with the Sunday’s Well club.

Doug as he was know went on to create history with his team, win 22 out of 23 games on their way to winning the triple, in a historic time for the club.

“Pat Price was absolutely instrumental in helping me with the application and navigating the entire process with the Demons. 

"During the interview stage, I dealt a lot with Mick O'Leary, Jim Dineen as well as Barry Deasy,” Douglas said.

“What immediately blew me away was just how incredibly passionate the fans were about basketball, the Demons, and Cork basketball as a whole. 

"There is a deep, unique hoops culture in Cork that is fiercely proud. When it comes to its relationship with the rest of Ireland, Cork has always rightfully viewed itself as the true powerhouse and heartbeat of Irish basketball.

“The standard in the SuperLeague was highly competitive and demanded a relentless, high-octane style of play to achieve success. 

"To stay ahead of the competition, we implemented aggressive strategies that ultimately boosted our team scoring to an explosive 94 points per game. 

"Every night in that league was a battle, but what truly made the difference for us that season was our phenomenal domestic roster and veteran leadership."

Douglas was very surprised at the basketball level of his own side with Shane Coughlan, Carlton Cuff the O’Reilly brothers, Niall and Colin, as he thought their basketball high-IQ was one of the main reasons why they had such success. 

He also pointed to American pairings Jerrah Young and Ryne Hamlet as they also played their part when his team needed them especially in big games.

“Players like Shane Coughlan, and Niall O'Reilly were the absolute leaders of that club, and they were so vital to everything we accomplished as a team. 

"They were incredibly welcoming to me from the moment I arrived, and it was a true pleasure to coach and work with such experienced, high-IQ veteran players. 

"In addition to having the league MVP and Player of the Year in Colin O'Reilly, our domestic depth was incredible. 

"A perfect example of our roster's mindset was Carlton Cuff, who completely locked into his role and would consistently guard the best import players on the opposing teams.

“Two players immediately come to mind as the absolute anchors of our historic squad. 

"On the American side, Jerrah Young was an absolute force on the floor and was rightfully named the SuperLeague Import Player of the Year. 

"On the Irish side, Colin O'Reilly put on a masterclass of domestic excellence all season long and earned the well-deserved title of SuperLeague MVP. 

"Both men were phenomenal leaders who perfectly embodied the culture we wanted to build. 

"In addition to them, Ryne Hamlet was another player who stood out massively to me. Ryne had an incredible ability to step up on the big occasions when the pressure was at its highest.

“The pinnacle of my stay was capturing the elusive "Treble". 

"Finishing the campaign with an unprecedented 22-1 record to secure the Super League Southern Conference Championship, the 2009 Irish National Cup, and the Super League Championship all in one year is something I will never forget and it was a truly unforgettable chapter of my life.

“Following that magical run in Cork, I returned to the University of Maine to serve as the Associate Head Basketball Coach for five season. 

"From there, my career has taken me across several elite global levels, to Great Britain to be head coach of the U20 National Team, leading the team to a historic 16-1 record and a European Championship finals appearance.

"I also served as assistant coach to Iona College, The Orlando Waves (ABA) the Guangzhou Long Lions (CBA), and the top team in China.

“I then founded The Elite Post-Graduate Academies where I directed premier development platforms in Florida, including Feltrim Academy, Star Athletes Academy, and Lakeview Basketball Academy, collectively advancing dozens of players to the collegiate level."

Even though Leichner only stayed in Ireland for a season, the Emerald Isle holds a special place in his heart, and he is very open to a return to coach here in the near future if an opportunity comes along.

“Ireland holds a very special place in my heart and my coaching career. 

"Europe offers a phenomenal, pure basketball environment, and my global recruiting network and tactical systems align seamlessly with the European style of play. 

"If the right professional opportunity presents its one focused on building a winning culture and a sustainable program, I would jump at the chance to return to Ireland,” Leichner added.