A head coaching position with the Sioux Falls Skyforce seems to be a launching pad to bigger and better. 

When the NBADL season starts this fall, the Sioux Falls Skyforce will start with a new face leading the charge after Pat Delany accepted a job as an assistant coach with the Charlotte Hornets.  Delany isn’t the only one to attain success after a stint as head coach of the ‘Force.

Year one coach Ron Ekker eventually became an assistant with Dallas, Cleveland and Orlando.  Kevin McKenna spent time as a scout for Washington and more famously led Nebraska-Omaha to a couple of NCC titles.

Roger Lyons became the all-time winningest coach at Ashland University in Ohio.  While Flip Saunders moved on to be head coach of the Timberwolves, Pistons and Wizards.

Already with NBA experience, Mo McHone led the Skyforce to their first CBA title then assisted with the Pistons and Clippers. Next came Jim Broveli who scouted for Charlotte then coached the Japanese National Team post Skyforce.

Another NBA scout followed in the form of Jim Sleeper with Portland.  Paul Woolpert left Sioux Falls and led Yakima to 3 CBA titles as head coach.  Even as poorly as Stacey King fared as head coach, the former titlist as a Jordanaire has a cult following as a Bulls broadcaster.

Native Australian Trevor Gleeson won the 2014 NBL Championship with the Perth Wildcats Then arrives Dave Joerger who led the Skyforce to the title in 2005, Dakota Wizards in 2007 and has been with Memphis ever since leading the Grizzlies to the playoffs last season.

Roosevelt grad Nate Tibbetts parlayed his time leading the 'Force to stints with Tulsa in the D-League then NBA stops in Cleveland and Portland.

Even though he was head coach for an interim basis, Duane Ticknor moved on to Fort Wayne and led them to their first NBADL berth before joining Joeger in Memphis.  Delany’s predecessor Joel Abelson is currently head man with the Reno Bighorns looking forward with a second season as exclusive affiliate of the Sacramento Kings.

Impressive, isn’t it?

More From KSOO-AM / ESPN Sioux Falls