Basketball On The Internet.

SCOTT Ninnis at Adelaide 36ers has finally been allowed to shred the word "interim" from his extensive coaching resume, the Sixers this week confirming a new two-year deal for the only man to play an intimate role in all four of the club's NBL championships and much better equipped to improve on his previous stint as head coach.

Stepping up from assistant this season to replace third-year coach CJ Bruton when he was sacked as the 36ers limped to a 4-9 win-loss mark, Ninnis' team went 8-7 to actually even look a top-six playoff threat at one stage.

Overblown speculation linking the G.O.A.T. of NBL coaches, Brian Goorjian, to the 36ers coaching role were just that as, contrary to unsourced rumours, his conversations with the club were still at a superficial stage when he decided to withdraw his hat from the ring.

Goorjian, tonight coaching the Boomers against Korea in an Asia Cup qualifier in Bendigo, is not struggling for offers when - or if - he decides to resume his week-to-week coaching career.

He has indicated an interest in returning to the NBL but Asia also presents opportunities. Then again, after turning 71 in July and having achieved all there is in Australian basketball coaching, even a consultancy or GM role might have appeal.

Ninnis, 58, was a player on Adelaide's 1986 "Invincibles" champion and again on the 1998 "Titletown" team. He was in an assistant coach role for both the 1999 and 2002 NBL championships of the 36ers.

His first stint as head coach for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons produced a 15-15 rookie debut which took Adelaide to a KO final it then lost in New Zealand. His second season produced a disappointing 10-18 return and eighth place.

Following original coaching mentor Phil Smyth into the Sixers' chair always was going to be difficult but additional assistant stints interstate and two NBL1 Central championships at Sturt, with a more recent one at South, have completed a solid return.

“I’ve learned a lot in the back half of the season and I’m a totally different coach to the one who was head coach all those years ago," Ninnis said. “For all of us, the hard work starts now."