Scott Roth to Defend the Island for Two More Years

Tasmania JackJumpers Head Coach Scott Roth will Defend the Island for two more years after officially signing a deal that will extend his time at the club until the end of NBL29.

Roth has forged the iconic grit and grind identity of the JackJumpers since his appointment as the inaugural Head Coach in January 2021 ahead of the team’s debut NBL22 season.  

The 63-year-old has built the team from the ground up, won a championship in year three, and shaped some of the NBL’s current greats.  

But if you ask the American-Tasmanian, he’ll soon tell you it’s the impact Tasmanians have had on him and his family that matters most of all.

“The biggest thing for me is the people of Tasmania,” Roth said. “That’s the driving force, the impact Tasmanians have on my family, on my life. They’ve been so gracious in welcoming us, I’m grateful and humbled, and hungry for the next two years.”

Reflecting on the past five years, Roth said he has watched Tasmanians walk a little taller because of the pride they take in their beloved JackJumpers.  

“Our triumphs are Tasmania’s triumphs,” Roth said. “The community, every Tasmanian, has really backed us and believed in us.

“That pride and belief in our team gave Tasmanians a real pride and belief in themselves too.  

“I think we’ve also raised the bar and paved the way for others like the AFL to build a team here with confidence, it can happen and should happen on this island.”

Roth has confirmed that this really will be his last contract extension, with family-time state-side calling him.  

“I talk a lot about time-wealth, and I don’t have a lot of it left in my lifetime,” Roth reflected.

“How I use time, I have to be smart about it, and two years is about as much as I have left to give.

“I don’t have a to-do-list for this final stretch, I think it’s more about continuity, holding the standards, and giving the club a longer runway to consider who they’re looking at next.”

Tasmania JackJumpers Chair Steve Old said the best was yet to come for the team, the club and Tasmania.  

“Scott didn’t just coach a basketball team — he helped build a club, a culture and something that Tasmania has truly made its own,” Mr Old said.  

“Scott understands Tasmania, Tasmania understands Scott — and it’s a pretty special combination.

“We’ve achieved some incredible things together, but neither Scott nor this club is interested in looking backwards. We genuinely believe the best chapters of the JackJumpers story are still to be written.

“This is an exciting day for the club, but more importantly, an exciting day for Tasmania”

Tasmania JackJumpers CEO Trent Jacobs said the club was proud to have Roth for two more years.  

“We were clear that Scott is the right man to continue to lead the JackJumpers and we believe he can continue to consistently have us competing in finals and fighting for championships,” Mr Jacobs said.  

“He is also so important to our club off the court and has been synonymous in developing our mission to Defend the Island and will continue to be very important as we shape the ongoing growth of the club.

“He is the ultimate professional, sets the standards for our players and for our club, and importantly, we know players come to our club and get better. This is such a vital component of being a destination club.”

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