Gordon Herbert at FC Bayern Basketball: LIGHTS ON!

Our coach Gordon Herbert has been actively involved in European basketball for over 40 years and sensationally led the German national team to a World Cup win in 2023. In an interview with the FC Bayern members' magazine ‘51’, the 65-year-old Canadian talks about his philosophy, the inspiration provided by players like Nick Weiler-Babb, kayaking, chopping wood, racehorses and wolves - and how he wants to encourage people when it comes to the issue of depression.

Gordon Herbert - The interview

When you signed your contract here in Munich, you said that you really wanted to stay in Germany. What do you like most about living here?
Gordon Herbert: "The league is on the up. The infrastructure of the clubs in Germany is really impressive, they work in a very professional manner. What I like about Germany is that everything is done so precisely and punctually - everything is always well thought out. Having lived in Germany for a long time now, I have great respect for the culture here. When you come to another country, you should respect the culture and embrace it. That's not difficult here. When the opportunity arose to become the coach at FC Bayern, I didn't have to think twice."

How would you describe FC Bayern's culture?
"For me, it stands for greatness, togetherness and success. Culture means three things: a clear vision - where do we want to go? Plus values that guide us. And finally, our identity - what we live in the club and how we're perceived. When I started coaching, I was very focused on strategy. Today, for me, the development of a culture is the decisive factor on which the strategy is then built. Because strategy without culture does not lead to anything sustainable. A strong culture, on the other hand, provides the foundation for long-term growth.“ 

You've lived in Germany for a long time. How do you like it in Munich? 
"I just love it here. In a way, it reminds me of Western Canada, my home - the nature, the many green spaces, the parks in the city. For me, Munich is the best city in Germany and also one of the best in the whole of Europe. I live close to the English Garden and the Olympiapark, it's absolutely marvellous. It's a city where you quickly feel at home. The only thing I don't like is the traffic (smiles)." 

You've been actively involved in European basketball for over 40 years. How did you end up moving from Idaho to Finland when you were 19?
"I'd finished my studies at the University of Idaho and wanted to continue playing basketball. My goal was to play for the Canadian national team and play professionally in Europe. Originally I thought I would stay in Finland for a year or two and then I intended to go back to the USA. But then I met my wife in Finland and stayed. Life just had other plans for me. Today we have a house in western Finland and a summer house by the sea. I enjoy spending time there: gardening, chopping wood, even kayaking - it's like therapy for me. It's very quiet, in the middle of nowhere, with deer and, occasionally, wolves. I really enjoy life there."

The time in the outdoors, this responsibility for yourself - is that something you also practise in your work as a coach?
"Absolutely. As a coach, you always give a lot of yourself, all the time, day after day. That's why I always try to take time for myself in the morning. Today I went swimming, otherwise I do weight training or go for a walk through the Olympiapark. That energises me for the day. For me, trust, respect and commitment are the basis of a team. You can't form a unit without these values. My philosophy is: 'Alone, we can't achieve anything great. Together, united as a team, we can.' It's a coach's job to turn individual players, who are often under external pressure, into a team." 

We've read that you make a distinction between ‘racehorses’ and ‘pigs’ in your players. What's that all about?
"That's a metaphor I like to use. We have clear guidelines before we even talk about individual goals: Defend your position, get the rebound, turn it into an attack. These are non-negotiable basics. Then there are the specific roles. Racehorses like Franz Wagner and Dennis Schröder are guys who do spectacular things. The ‘pigs’ - the role players - on the other hand, do the work behind them, which is just as important. But: ‘Racehorses’ also have to do dirty work, whereas ‘pigs’ must not try to be ‘racehorses’. It's about creating clear roles in the team and accepting them."

Do some players find it difficult to accept their roles in the team, especially when they have to come to terms with the fact that they're not destined for the glamorous roles?
"Well, those are exactly the conversations I have with the players. I have one-on-one conversations with everyone, where I explain to them what role they play in the team and why it's important. Sometimes they don't like it, but it's my job to convince them. A good example is Isaac Bonga. He really wanted to be a ‘racehorse’, but in the national team he accepted his role as a worker. He became perhaps our best defensive player and was hugely important for the team on the way to the 2023 World Cup win. The other players really appreciated his commitment and understood what he had sacrificed."

Who are the ‘racehorses’ at FC Bayern?
"We've suffered a few injuries this year and have had to adapt. But if I had to single out someone, it would be Nick Weiler-Babb. He may not be the classic ‘racehorse’, but he influences the game in so many ways. He pounces on defensive rebounds, runs the offence, can score when he needs to - an absolute all-rounder. For me, he's the best all-round player in Germany."

How do you feel after your first four months here? Is everything going as expected, or is the team even exceeding your expectations, especially in the EuroLeague?
"I had a clear vision when I came here and I presented it to the team. My goal is to reach the EuroLeague Final Four. We've had our ups and downs, some tough defeats, especially in the BBL. But for me it's less important whether we win or lose - it's more important whether we improve. And the decisive factor for me is how we deal with setbacks, whether we accept them and learn from them."

What are your goals for 2025 with this team?
"Of course we're aiming for the German championship and the cup. Additionally, we're focusing on the EuroLeague play-offs. The competition is incredibly tough, every game is a real battle. And we have to improve on the road in particular next year and improve our record."

The team's record in the new SAP Garden is outstanding; they were unbeaten in their first eight EuroLeague games. How has the new arena affected the team?
"It's a state-of-the-art basketball arena, a fantastic venue. We had a terrific start there, including a win in the opening game against Real Madrid. The atmosphere is incredible, the fans are like a sixth man on the court. You can tell that the players perform at a different level there." 

Can Munich and FC Bayern become a European basketball hub, as envisaged by managing director Marko Pesic?
"Absolutely. The club has a clear vision and that attracts people who want to build something. Of course, there are challenges to getting absolute top players, such as the high taxes in Germany compared to other countries. But with long-term development and the promotion of your own players, it is possible. FC Bayern is one of the biggest brands in the world. With a strong team on the pitch, we can continue to build interest nationally and internationally."

The whole of Europe is raving about SAP Garden, and we are deliberately conducting this interview at BMW Park on the world's only LED floor. What do you think of this innovation?
"It's really impressive. I never thought I'd be standing on a floor like this. It's a marvellous attraction and fits in perfectly with SAP Garden and FC Bayern. We've already started to use it in training, for example for practising our lines of play. But we're still learning how to use it to best effect. It's definitely something unique and can be a great asset to our work."

In your opinion, what is the biggest change currently taking place in basketball? 
"I think there was a real boom in Germany after winning the World Cup. We're on the right track, winning that trophy definitely gave the sport new momentum. Basketball is the second most popular sport in the world. Football will always be number one, but basketball has incredible potential because there's always something happening." 

In your book ‘The boys gave me my life back’, you talk about your depression in 2010 and the fact that you needed to take medication. What was that period like for you? 
"I never want to go through a phase like that again. I was in Frankfurt and fortunately had a support network there that helped me. I couldn't even plan a training session back then, let alone think clearly or organise things. I had hit rock bottom without realising it because I kept fighting until I just couldn't do it anymore. Fortunately, a colleague helped me to get professional help. I went to clinics, was given medication and was able to slowly recover. It was a tough time, but I never gave up. I've never done that in my life, no matter what challenges have come my way."

It's very brave to talk about it so openly. Would you like to encourage other people to talk about mental health?
"Yes, definitely. Many people are afraid to talk about it or seek help when they need it. I wasn't sure whether I should talk about it at first either. But through the book I wanted to show others that you can overcome situations like these if you get help. I hope my story will encourage others to seek support when they need it."

Do you monitor the mental health of your players nowadays? How do you notice when someone is stressed or doubting themselves?
"Self-confidence is a crucial factor in this profession. Players often have to deal with personal or family problems. FC Bayern and my previous clubs have always been good at supporting players in these kinds of situations. It's important to accept professional help and talk about it. My own experiences help me to better understand the challenges that players go through. Many people think that professional athletes are indestructible, but that's not true. The pressure they are under is enormous and they need a good environment to be able to deal with it."

You come from Canada. How did you become a basketball player and not an ice hockey player?
"My mother played basketball at a competitive level, so basketball was always part of our family. But it's true, hockey was my first love and always will be. Even when I was coaching in Finland, I often put on my skates in winter and played on the outdoor ice rinks. To this day, I follow the NHL more than the NBA and sometimes get up at four in the morning for games involving my team, the Vancouver Canucks. Of course, I also watch a lot of basketball, but now I mainly watch the EuroLeague because the quality of the league is really, really high."

Have you ever been to an ice hockey match here in Munich at SAP Garden?
"Not yet, unfortunately. Our schedule is so tight that I usually stay at home on days off. But I hope to watch a few games soon - and I've already met Max Kaltenhauser, the coach of the Munich team, at a joint event. When I was at Berlin and Frankfurt, I regularly attended ice hockey games. I'm looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere here in Munich." 

And what about football? Have you ever been to the Allianz Arena?
"Not yet for an FC Bayern match, but I did go during the group stage of the European Championship when Germany played Scotland. That was an incredible experience. The whole city centre was full of Scots - people in kilts everywhere, a fantastic atmosphere and the beer was flowing in torrents. The summer here was extraordinary: Munich was buzzing. In addition to the European Championship, there were great concerts, for example by Coldplay and Adele. It was impressive. Munich is a good argument to convince international players to come to FC Bayern. And basketball is now at home here. There's still a lot to come in the next few years."

Photos: Dirk Bruniecki

Friday, 3 January, 21:00 CET: EuroLeague Matchday 19: Real Madrid vs. FCBB - just one of the highlights to come in 2025.