He fills the vacancy left by the departure of Ballarat basketball legend Eric Hayes, who led the GMHBA Miners into this year’s SEABL men’s east conference grand final.

Cooper-Brown, 36, steps into the role after one season as an assistant to Hayes and two years as Basketball Ballarat athlete and coach development manager, a position he will continue in.

The appointment fulfills a long-time ambition for Cooper-Brown and follows an extensive coaching apprenticeship, including positions at national level.

He is national men’s under-17 assistant coach.

Basketball Ballarat senior elite teams committee Miners chairman Simon Walshe said the appointment was a natural progression under the program’s succession planning.

Hayes served as an assistant to David Flint before taking over and now Cooper-Brown is following the same pathway.

“We pride ourselves on the pathways we create for athletes and coaches,” Walshe said.

“Nathan is a prime example of this. He clearly has the basketball knowledge and after the year he had as an assistant coach with the Miners we feel he is the right person to lead the program into the future,” he said.

Cooper-Brown said he had worked under some incredible coaches through his basketball journey and was ready for the challenge.

“Last season was a great opportunity to work with, and learn from Eric Hayes, so I am eager to build on all the great work he has done for the club these past few years.”

Cooper-Brown said with the Miners having gone so close to a championship this year, he was going into the job with high expectations and aiming for nothing less than a title next season.

His first task will be ensuring a high player retention rate, with him impressed by not only the talent of the 2017 roster, but also the quality of the players as people.

Cooper-Brown said he had arrived in Ballarat with a vision for the sport and its culture, and could not be happier with the way everyone had taken it on.

“Ballarat is a wonderful basketball community so I am honoured to be given this role. The Miners have a long and proud history of success, something I’m looking forward to contributing to.”

Cooper-Brown gets married on Sunday and will launch in the new role on returning from overseas.

While the search for a Miners first assistant coach to replace Cooper-Brown begins, Justin Fraser will continue as second assistant.