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BRETT Maher will be the next coach of the Adelaide 36ers and Phil Smyth its new chief executive officer if a bid by Ken Cole to buy the NBL club from its current SOS ownership succeeds.

Cole today revealed he has the financial support of an Adelaide-born, US-based backer to complete the purchase but will not take the final step until Sixers chairman and majority owner Daryl Simmons supplies assurances Adelaide Arena will be "in basketball's hands" for the foreseeable future.

"There's some public ambiguity over who owns the venue and we need to know it is in basketball's hands to proceed," Cole said from his home in San Diego.

"With (previous owner) Eddy Groves recently declared bankrupt, we need to see paperwork which clarifies ownership of the venue because playing out of Adelaide Arena is fundamental to our bid."

When Groves, the one-time childcare magnate, defaulted on his loan last year, the Commonwealth Bank took over the Arena and put it up for sale. It since has been taken off the market.
 
The SOS consortium was among final bidders for the venue.

Hall of Famer Cole, who coached the 36ers to their inaugural NBL championship with his "Invincibles" team which set the benchmark for the league with its 24-2 win-loss record, is keen to restore Adelaide to its former glories and return it to a distinctly South Australian flavor.

"We'd want to keep most of the current roster but we also don't want any more South Australians to get away," Cole said. "No more (Mark) Bradtkes, Paul Rogers, (Brad) Newleys or (Joe) Ingles leaving to play at other NBL clubs."

Cole, coach of Adelaide's milestone champion, would oversee the bid, three-time championship coach Smyth would be back and upgraded to CEO and Maher, the club's most successful player, also upgraded to coach.

"I don't think Phil would be a risk as an untried CEO, just as I don't see Brett as a risk as a rookie coach," Cole said.

"These are successful men who love the club, love Adelaide, are homegrown and have huge credibility within the state.

"I don't see it as any risk at all. Frankly, I think it would be a much bigger gamble not to have men like them involved because they bring so many strengths to the table."

Cole said he expected Maher would choose Frank Arsego as his chief assistant, Arsego another South Australian who coached state league in Adelaide, was head coach at the AIS and also of the New Zealand Breakers and Singapore Slingers.

"I hear a lot of negativity around the team and the club at present but I am very excited about the potential for the future and what we could do with the program," Cole said.

"We want to make Adelaide a stronghold again, with a team which can challenge our 24-2 record from 1986."

Smyth was unavailable for comment today.

"I am very excited to be thought of for the coaching role and if the opportunity was presented would seriously consider it," Maher said.

Current coach Marty Clarke is in the final season of a three-year contract.

Cole supplied the name and details of his financial backer, which has to remain confidential at present. The information did, however, create the opportunity for independent research which all came up positive.

The ball now very much appears to be in SOS's court.

"I completely understand confidentiality and the need sometimes to keep sensitive things out of the public domain until it is appropriate," Cole said. "But we need to know no-one is going to come swooping in from left-field and claim Adelaide Arena out from under us."

That seems reasonable, Cole also concerned the 36ers' brand name and viability were being challenged and the club's name tarnished, in some instances deliberately.

"Honestly? I could not be more excited about what the future holds for the club," Cole said. "It wouldn't take much to turn it around and get it back to where it was, and also to start working together with our other South Australian sporting teams again."

Cole said Smyth would make a passionate CEO, dedicated to restoring Adelaide to its former greatness, and Maher a rallying figure for disenfranchised fans.

"Look, I didn't have a lot of coaching experience before I started, neither did Phil and neither will Brett," Cole said.

"But I am very impressed by the young man.

"If it comes to that, I'm sure we can be Pat Riley to his Eric Spoelstra if he thinks he needs it."