Dirk Bauermann was a role model for a whole generation of basketball coaches in Germany.
He played a key role in shaping and developing the professional profile in this country.
At the age of 65, the native of Oberhausen is now on the home stretch of his career.
As the likely last stop, he has decided to return to his roots.
His illustrious career, which includes engagements in eleven countries on four continents, should end where it began - in the youth field, where he took his first steps in Krefeld and Leverkusen.
Since January 1, 2023, Dirk Bauermann has been responsible for the conception of the male junior division at the German Basketball Association (DBB).
In addition, he will also act as a coach for one or more national youth teams.
Bauermann: Time to "Give Something Back"
He himself says that it is time "to give something back".
His track record is impressive, both as a club and national coach.
Bauermann won seven German championships with Leverkusen and two with Bamberg.
He also led Germany to the silver medal at the 2005 European Championships and Tunisia to the 2021 African Championships.
The decision to return to the youth field now is a well-considered one.
He has preferred this option to two requests from Persian Gulf federations who wanted him to coach their men's national team.
"I don't have to work for the money anymore.
I would like to use my passion for work in a meaningful way," says the ambitious basketball teacher, who caught fire from the very first contact with the young people: "I had more fun in the hall during the first U-15 course than I had in a long time."
Listen first
But he also knows that he has to adapt, because "in recent years I've been a massive lone fighter abroad".
Now he must and wants to coordinate with all the authorities involved in the process.
These are the state associations, the clubs, the men's and junior federal leagues.
It's been more than eleven years since he left the DBB as a men's national coach.
Now Bauermann would like to listen first, to evaluate the situation and to get his own view of things.
On this basis, he then wants to “act creatively, but not change everything”.
Structures are definitely there.
The junior and youth leagues (NBBL and JBBL) were introduced during Bauermann's time as national coach of the senior national team (2003 to 2011), which were intended to ensure that talented players could be offered training and match practice at a higher level.
"That was a helpful necessary change in view of the development in Europe," says Bauermann.
"This has improved the tip and width."
However, Bauermann also points out that the potential has not been sufficiently reflected in placements.
His goal is to firmly establish the DBB selection teams among the top eight in Europe.
It is important to raise everyone involved in youth basketball to a higher level through communication and cooperation.
The focus is on longevity and sustainability.
He wants to "create a common identity for German youth basketball".
In this area in particular, basketball nations like Serbia, Spain and Lithuania would be ahead of Germany.
For him, making this process successful is the basis for achieving better rankings.
The work with the young players should be improved and thus their performance.
“My job,” says Bauermann, “is primarily to support our young talents in their development over the long term and to optimally prepare them for the demands of modern European basketball.
The aim is to develop the next generation and the generation after that of A-National and Bundesliga players at a high level in terms of quality and quantity.”
The European Championship in the summer of 2022 proved how strong the men's national team is at the moment. Despite the cancellation of several top players, including those from the North American NBA, Germany won the bronze medal.
In the squad of twelve, however, only two players were younger than 26 – so talented people will have to move up in the next few years.
"I'll do it as long as it makes sense," says Bauermann.
When he realizes that it is no longer possible or that he can no longer reach this generation of players, he will stop.
But Bauermann emphasizes again and again how great the desire and the joy in the new task is.
It can therefore be assumed that young people will be able to benefit from his experience for quite some time to come.