Brynjar Karl Sigurðsson (born 17 September 1973) is an Icelandic businessman, basketball coach and former player. He played several seasons in the Icelandic top-tier Úrvalsdeild karla and was a member of the Icelandic national team. Following his basketball career, he founded the company Sideline Sports which designed coaching software used by the Premier League, NBA and the NFL.[1][2] A controversial figure in Iceland, he has been scrutinized for his coaching methods[3] and fight with the Icelandic Basketball Association to let his junior women's team compete in boys tournaments.[4][5][6][7] In February 2021, the documentary Raise the bar which follows him and his girls teams, premiered in Iceland.[8]
| Aþena | |
|---|---|
| Position | Head coach |
| League | 1. deild kvenna |
| Personal information | |
| Born | 17 September 1973 Reykjavík, Iceland |
| Nationality | Icelandic |
| Listed height | 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) |
| Listed weight | 82 kg (181 lb) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Assumption High School |
| College | UAM (1998–1999) |
| Playing career | 1989–2001 2009 |
| Position | Forward |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1989–1991 | ÍR |
| 1992 | Valur |
| 1992–1993 | Breiðablik |
| 1993–1994 | Valur |
| 1994–1995 | ÍA |
| 1995–1996 | Valur |
| 1996–1997 | ÍA |
| 1997–1998 | Valur |
| 1999–2000 | ÍA |
| 2000 | Valur |
| 2001 | ÍA |
| 2009 | FSu |
| As coach: | |
| 2001 | ÍA |
| 2005–2009 | FSu |
| 2021–present | Aþena |
| Career Úrvalsdeild karla statistics | |
| Points | 2,115 (13.1 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 437 (4.0 rpg) |
| Games | 162 |
Early life
Brynjar was born in Breiðholt, Reykjavík in 1973. He started training basketball at the age of 9.[2]
Basketball career
Club career
Brynjar spent most of his career with Valur and ÍA. In 1996, he was slated to play for freshly promoted KFÍ during the 1996–97 season[9] but he eventually signed back with ÍA.[10] In January 2001, Brynjar transferred from Valur to ÍA, which by then was playing in the second-tier 1. deild karla.[11] He appeared in four games the rest of the season, averaging 27.3 points per game.[12] The following season, he averaged 32.2 points in five games as a player-coach.[13] He resigned in December the same year due to unpaid salary from the club.[14]
In 2009, Brynjar had a short comeback in with FSu, for whom he was the head coach, when he scored 20 points in a loss against Snæfell.[15]
National team career
Brynjar played 11 games for the Icelandic national team from 1994 to 1995.[16]
Coaching career
In May 2001, Brynjar was hired as a player-coach for ÍA.[17] He resigned in December the same year due to unpaid salary.[14] In 2005, he founded the FSu basketball academy in Selfoss.[18] In 2008, he guided the team to promotion to the top-tier Úrvalsdeild karla after beating Valur in the 1. deild karla promotion playoffs.[19]
In 2021, he became the head coach of 1. deild kvenna club Aþena.[20] In 2024, he guided the team to promotion to the top-tier Úrvalsdeild kvenna for the first time.[21]
Handball career
In 2011, Brynjar was selected to Valur's roster for its game against Akureyri in the Icelandic Handball Cup finals despite never having played professional handball before.[22] The game plan was for him to see spot minutes as a defender in the first half but due to Valur playing a man short for an extended amount of time, he eventually did not see any playing time in Valur's 26–24 win.[23]
Executive career
In October 2021, Brynjar was announced as the new chairman of Leiknir's basketball department.[24]