Damon Mcknight
Leo Austria is a highly successful basketball coach, who has won nine PBA titles, including a historic five-peat in the Philippine Cup. In 2023, he took a break from coaching, with former assistant Jorge Gallent taking over as head coach of the San Miguel Beermen. However, in December 2024, Austria returned to his former role as coach of the San Miguel Beermen, leading them to a 106-88 rout of the Terrafirma Dyip.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Coaching Team | San Miguel Beermen |
| Previous Coaching Teams | Shell, Welcoat Dragons, Adamson Falcons, Chowking |
| Awards | Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan Award for Sports, Coach of the Year in 2013 |
| Family | Wife Nanette, Son Bacon (basketball player) |
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What You'll Learn
Leo Austria's coaching career
Leovino "Leo" Austria is a Filipino professional basketball coach and former player. He was the head coach of the San Miguel Beermen of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) from 2014 to 2022. During his tenure, he led the team to nine PBA championships out of ten Finals appearances.
Austria's first coaching stint was with Chowking during the late 1990s. During this time, he steered the team to numerous semifinal appearances but fell short of reaching the finals. In 2000, Chowking was renamed Shark Energy Drink, and under this banner, Austria led the team to two titles in four finals matches against Welcoat from 2000 to 2002. He then moved to Welcoat Paints as its new head coach in late 2002.
In 2004, Austria was named the head coach of Shell, his former team as a player. However, Shell disbanded after the 2004-2005 season, and Austria returned to the amateur ranks, becoming the head coach of the Adamson Falcons in the UAAP. With him at the helm, the Falcons made their first-ever Final Four appearance but were eliminated in the semifinals. He coached the team until 2013.
In 2006, Welcoat bought the Shell franchise and Austria was once again named head coach, this time of the Welbest franchise, carrying the banner of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. He led the team to a third-place finish in the 2006 PBL Unity Cup. He then became the head coach of the Welcoat Dragons in the PBA but resigned in 2008, citing management differences.
Austria joined the San Miguel Beermen in the ABL and was awarded Coach of the Year in 2013, also winning the championship that year. He renewed his contract with the San Miguel franchise in 2014 and led the team to seven more championships out of eight Finals appearances. In 2023, Austria took a coaching sabbatical due to health reasons, with Jorge Gallent taking over as head coach. However, there have been speculations about Austria being eased back into an active coaching role with the Beermen.
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Awards and accolades
Leo Austria is a Filipino professional basketball coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of the San Miguel Beermen of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and has been the head coach of the team since 2014, apart from a short break in 2022.
In 1984, Austria was named the Most Valuable Player of the Ambassador's Cup before joining the PBA. In 1985, he was drafted by a new team, Formula Shell, and won the Rookie of the Year honours at the end of the season. In 1988, he was awarded the Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan Award for Sports. The QMK Award is given to outstanding Quezonians who excel in their chosen fields.
In 2006, Austria was named head coach of the Adamson Falcons in the UAAP. With him at the helm, the Falcons made their first-ever Final Four appearance. In 2013, Austria was awarded the Coach of the Year by the PBA and helped the team win the championship that same year. In 2014, he renewed his ties with the San Miguel franchise by signing a one-year deal to be the head coach of the Beermen. He won his first PBA championship with SMB after defeating the Alaska Aces in seven games of the 2014–15 PBA Philippine Cup Finals. Austria later coached the team to seven more championships out of the next eight Finals appearances. In 2016, he was named back-to-back "Baby Dalupan" Coach of the Year at the PBA Press Corps Awards Night.
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Coaching sabbatical
Leo Austria is a highly successful basketball coach, who has won multiple championships and awards. In 2023, however, he decided to take a break from coaching, stepping down from his role as head coach of the San Miguel Beermen, a position he had held since 2014.
Austria's decision to take a coaching sabbatical was due to personal reasons, and he remained with the team as a consultant. This move marked the end of a successful era for the Beermen, with Austria having led them to nine PBA titles, including a historic five-peat in the Philippine Cup. His return to coaching in December 2024 saw the Beermen immediately rediscover their form, with a 106-88 rout of the Terrafirma Dyip.
A coaching sabbatical is a planned break from coaching, often taken to recharge and refocus. It can be a period of reflection, learning, and growth, allowing coaches to develop new strategies and techniques, gain new perspectives, and improve their overall effectiveness. During this time, coaches may engage in activities such as travelling, pursuing hobbies, spending time with family, or even coaching or volunteering at a lower level.
For Austria, his sabbatical came after a period of absence due to health and safety protocols. During this time, his former assistant, Jorge Gallent, took the helm, guiding the team to several wins. When Austria returned as head coach, Gallent remained with the team, and Austria expressed his surprise at being asked to return to the role.
A coaching sabbatical can provide numerous benefits, including improved well-being, enhanced motivation, and a fresh perspective. It allows coaches to take a step back, evaluate their strategies, and return to the game rejuvenated and inspired.
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San Miguel Beermen
Leo Austria is a PBA champion coach who has had a successful career in basketball. In 1988, he received the Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan Award for Sports, which is awarded to outstanding individuals who have excelled in their field. Austria's coaching career began in the late 1990s with Chowking, during which he led the team to several semifinal appearances. He then moved on to coach Shell, the Adamson Falcons, and the Welcoat Dragons before joining the San Miguel Beermen in the ABL.
Austria's tenure with the San Miguel Beermen has been highly successful. He was awarded Coach of the Year in 2013 and helped the team secure the championship that same year. Renewing his contract with the San Miguel franchise in 2014, Austria went on to win nine PBA titles with the Beermen, including a remarkable five-peat in the Philippine Cup. In 2018, Austria led the team to another championship in the PBA Philippine Cup, overcoming an 0-3 deficit. However, they suffered their first Finals loss under Austria in the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel team.
Despite a short break from coaching in 2023, during which former assistant Jorge Gallent took over, Austria returned to his role as head coach of the San Miguel Beermen. His return saw the team rediscover their form, with an impressive 106-88 victory over the Terrafirma Dyip. Austria's unique style of player rotation, favouring star players with extended minutes, has been a hallmark of his coaching strategy.
Austria's impact on the San Miguel Beermen has been significant, with the team achieving numerous championships and milestones under his guidance. His return to coaching in 2024 indicates that the Beermen are poised to continue their winning streak and reclaim their dominant position in the PBA.
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Personal life
Leo Austria is a PBA champion coach, who was born on 14 March 1958. He is married to Nanette, who underwent a kidney transplant on the afternoon he won the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup. They have three children, including Bacon, who is a basketball player. Father and son have been on opposing teams in the UAAP, with Leo coaching Adamson and Bacon playing for Ateneo.
Austria started his PBA career with Shell in 1985. He was named head coach of the team in 2004, 19 years after joining. During his only season with the Turbo Chargers, he coached a young but talented team to two semi-final appearances and a third-place finish in the 2005 PBA Fiesta Conference. However, Shell disbanded after the 2004-2005 season.
In 2006, Austria was named head coach of the Adamson Falcons in the UAAP, replacing Mel Alas. With him at the helm, the Falcons made their first-ever Final Four appearance since the format was introduced. However, they were eliminated by the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the semi-finals. He coached the team until 2013, following a dismal UAAP Season 76 campaign, after which he resigned.
In 2006, Welcoat bought the Shell franchise to join the PBA as its 10th member. Austria was renamed head coach of the Welbest franchise, carrying the banner of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in preparation for their PBA debut. The Painters placed third in the 2006 PBL Unity Cup in the team's final conference. He was formally named as the head coach of the Welcoat Dragons in the PBA. However, after two seasons with the team, he resigned in 2008, citing that the management wanted a new direction.
In 2013, Austria was awarded Coach of the Year and helped the San Miguel Beermen win the ABL championship. In 2014, he renewed his ties with the San Miguel franchise by signing a one-year deal to be the head coach of the Beermen. He guided the Beermen to nine championships from 2014 to 2022. In January 2023, Austria decided to take a break from coaching due to 'personal reasons' and went on a hiatus.
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Frequently asked questions
Leo Austria is from Quezon in the Philippines.
Austria has a reputation for having a small rotation and giving star players extended minutes.
Austria has coached Chowking, Shell, the Adamson Falcons, Welcoat Dragons, and the San Miguel Beermen.
Austria has won nine PBA titles, including a historic five-peat in the Philippine Cup, and has been awarded Coach of the Year in 2013.
Yes, in 2023, Austria took a coaching sabbatical for personal reasons, with former assistant Jorge Gallent taking over as head coach.
