Tab Baldwin. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Faced with the daunting task of replacing Paul Henare, the Hawkes Bay Hawks basketball outfit pulled a rabbit out of the hat by signing former Tall Blacks coach Tab Baldwin for the 2013 National Basketball League season.
The 54-year-old hasn't coached in the competition since 2001, but has won more
titles than any other coach in league history, guiding the Auckland Stars to five in eight seasons.
His return gives him a chance to regain the lead for career wins - he currently has 203, second only to current Tall Blacks coach Nenad Vucinic (237).
Baldwin was a key figure in the development of predecessor Henare as a player, luring him from Napier to Auckland in 1998 to be part of his championship dynasty. After hanging up his sneakers, Henare guided the Hawks to the 2011 NBL final and the semis again last season, but has signed with the Southland Sharks next year.
After leaving the NBL, Baldwin steered the national men's team to their first Oceania series victory over Australia in 2001, taking them to two world championships, the 2004 Athens Olympics and silver medals at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
