Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez steps down from Canada Basketball role

Jordi Fernandez is no longer the head coach of the Canadian senior men’s national basketball team, first reported by Sportsnet’s Michael Grange.

Fernandez had a historic international run with the program, including its first Olympic qualification in 24 years and only the second since 1998. After dominating throughout pool play in 2024, Canada moved on to drop a sudden-death quarterfinal clash with France, which secured a silver medal following a loss to Team USA.

Fernandez also previously led Canada to a bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup for the team’s first podium appearance at the event. Brooklyn’s head coach cites a search for family balance and full commitment to the Nets as his reasoning behind the split, a surprising and unexpected departure to many. 

“With careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to step away from my position with Canada Basketball,” Fernandez said. “After several summers away, I feel the need to prioritize finding balance with my family. I also believe it is my responsibility to spend the offseason with the players and coaches here in Brooklyn. We have a young, developing team, and these next few summers will play an important role in the continued growth of both our team and culture.”

Canada now has to fill the massive shoes of Fernandez, who had notable wins over seven of the top 13 teams in the FIBA rankings and built the squad into a top-five contender.

On the other hand, the Nets will have Fernandez’s full attention through a critical 2025 offseason destined to add more young talent to the roster and potentially even a superstar. While moving on from the position was a difficult decision for the longtime NBA assistant and current Nets head coach, Fernandez shifts focus solely to the Brooklyn rebuild and shining that same light he reflected through Canada. 

Despite the Nets’ 17-34 record, induced by design to maximize draft capital, Fernandez ensures his unique offensive approach and pro-player mentality both remain apparent. Brooklyn has won three of its last four games and continues to prove that its structure for the future is different than anywhere else in the league. 

Nets guard D’Angelo Russell has continuously complimented the coaching staff that's been assembled in the borough. Even at the expense of seeming like he’s taking shots at other organizations, Russell unapologetically sings Fernandez’s praises.

“I just know there’s nothing really like the way we do it here,” Russell said following Brooklyn’s 99-97 win over the Rockets on Tuesday. “Even if I wasn’t here, I’d still say that.”

The Nets have the sixth-best odds (9%) to win the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft as it currently stands, behind Toronto (10.5%), Charlotte (12.5%), Utah (14%), New Orleans (14%) and Washington (14%). Four games back from top-three odds, with four first-round picks in total, Fernandez could be primed to receive a new franchise cornerstone through Brooklyn’s upcoming class. 

An elite 2025 prospect paired with one of the brightest young coaches in basketball would be a refreshing sight for Nets World after a disappointing, injury-ridden tank.