'I said no': Why McDonald feared history repeating

Three-time NBL champion Darryl McDonald has revealed he initially rejected the interim coaching role at Brisbane, but the 61-year-old is now all in and keen to land the job full-time.

McDonald, in just his second game in charge, tasted victory on Monday night when he led the Bullets to an upset 99-85 win over the New Zealand Breakers.

The result snapped a seven-match losing streak and kept Brisbane (6-14) in the hunt for an NBL play-in berth.

The Bullets parted ways with coach Stu Lash last week, with chief executive Mal Watts immediately turning to assistant coach McDonald to fill the void on a temporary basis.

But having previously performed interim roles with the Melbourne Tigers (2010/11) and Melbourne United (2014/15) without being appointed permanently, McDonald was initially reluctant to step into the role again.

"When Mal came to me, I was pretty much like, ‘You know what Mal, I actually don’t want to do this, because I’ve been in this position before, and I’ve done it twice with nothing at the end of it,’" McDonald said.

"And he pretty much was like, ‘Well, no, I want you to do it, don’t worry about that.’"

McDonald eventually accepted the interim position and, after meeting with the playing group and witnessing their support, allowed himself to consider the possibility of becoming the club’s full-time head coach.

However, he remains realistic about the challenge ahead, with Watts publicly stating the club is in advanced talks with potential coaching candidates.

"It’s hard for me when I know that they’re reaching out to get another coach, and I understand," McDonald said.

"We’ve lost a fair bit with fans and members and sponsors. So they need a big name to kind of get all that back.

"I understand it, but I’m just going to coach. Right now. It’s me."

When McDonald refers to a "big name", he is not talking about himself. But his résumé suggests he should be considered.

McDonald won three NBL championships during a glittering playing career and famously played until just shy of his 44th birthday. He has since spent the past 17 years in assistant coaching roles and has quickly won over the Bullets playing group.

Sharpshooter Alex Ducas said the team is fully behind McDonald and hopeful he will be given the role permanently.

"The group loves him," Ducas said.

"The playing group were super excited when they found out he was going to take over the job.

"He kind of gives guys a freedom to play their game and preaches confidence all the time.

"Sometimes it’s not about the X’s and O’s. It’s about letting the player be a player, and that’s what D-Mac does."

McDonald’s coaching credentials will face a stern test over the next four games, with Brisbane set to face Melbourne United, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide.