TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA — NOVEMBER 08: Breakers coach Dean Vickerman looks on during the round five NBL match between the Townsville Crocodiles and the New Zealand Breakers at Townsville Entertainment Centre in November 8, 2013 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The former Sydney Kings assistant replaces Dean Demopoulos.

The Herald Sun early this month named Vickerman, a former NBL Championship winning coach, as a leading candidate for the role.

United chief executive Vince Crivelli said the club was thrilled to have appointed Vickerman.

“Dean’s energetic nature, positivity, strategic thinking and experience in leading Championship NBL teams were all factors which saw him as our top candidate for this pivotal role,” Crivelli said.

“His longstanding connection to the Victorian basketball community, built over more than twenty years of service to the sport, was also critical to his appointment.

Dean Vickerman was in charge when New Zealand won the NBL championship in 2015. Picture: Brendan Radke.Source:News Corp Australia

“He has a great depth of knowledge in further developing a winning team culture and we look forward to working with him for the next two seasons.”

Vickerman was involved in three New Zealand Breakers championships as an assistant coach and one as head coach.

He spent last season working under Kings coach Andrew Gaze.

“I’ve been on a journey since leaving Melbourne in 2006, so to come back to where it all started is very exciting,” Vickerman said.

“Melbourne is my home town and it’s a great opportunity to support this club to go in the direction that we all want it to. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Originally published as United lock in title-winning coach