Gordon Herbert, the former head coach of the German national team and current Bayern Munich coach, has been officially appointed as the head coach of the Canadian Senior Men’s National Team. The announcement was made by Canada Basketball, marking a significant step for the program as they aim for success in the upcoming international competitions.

Herbert, a Canadian native, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to the role. He is set to officially take over in the summer of 2026, with the primary goals of leading Canada in the 2027 FIBA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. His appointment follows Jordi Fernandez’s departure and signals a new chapter for Canadian basketball.

Rowan Barrett, General Manager and Executive Vice-President of the Senior Men’s Program, expressed his enthusiasm about Herbert’s hiring. He highlighted Herbert’s championship pedigree, understanding of the FIBA game, and his ability to compete for medals on the world stage as key reasons for his selection. Barrett also noted that Herbert’s familiarity with the Canadian program is an added advantage.

Herbert's connection to the Canadian national team includes a prior stint as an Assistant Coach from 2001-02, and a return in 2018 to assist in FIBA World Cup qualifying windows. He also served on the bench at the 2021 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Victoria, B.C. This history provides him with a deep understanding of the Canadian basketball landscape.

Canada is currently ranked No. 6 in the FIBA World Rankings, bolstered by a bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup and qualification for the Olympics for the first time in 24 years. The team is considered a golden generation of Canadian talent, and Herbert is tasked with leading them to a consecutive Olympic appearance and aiming for a podium finish at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Herbert himself expressed his honor and excitement about coaching his home country, acknowledging the tremendous progress Canada Basketball has made in recent years. He praised the depth of talent in the program and looks forward to building on the existing strong culture to achieve new heights.

Throughout his career, Herbert has coached in numerous top professional leagues across Europe, including Germany, France, Finland, and Greece. He secured the German league title with the Frankfurt Skyliners in 2004, won a FIBA Europe Cup and Bundesliga Coach of the Year in 2016, and claimed domestic cups in France (2007) and Finland (2009). His coaching accolades extend to Austria (2000) and Finland (2003), underscoring his reputation as a builder of winning cultures.

In addition to his international and European experience, Herbert also has NBA experience, having served as an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors during the 2008-09 season and as a consultant with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019-20. Currently, he is the head coach of FC Bayern Munich, leading them in both the EuroLeague and the domestic league.

As a player, Herbert represented Canada at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles under Hall of Fame coach Jack Donohue. His personal history with Canadian basketball enriches his new role. Canada Basketball’s ability to attract high-caliber coaching talent is partly due to philanthropic support, including investments from the Dani Reiss Family Foundation, which strengthens the national team’s high-performance pathway.

Further details regarding Herbert’s coaching staff and the program’s plans for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be announced later.