Worthing Thunder are hunting for a full-time head coach to replace long-serving Gary Smith.
The former Worthing Bears guard, who has combined coaching with his day job since 2001, is stepping down as playcaller but will remain as a director.
Chairman Frank Gainsbury admits the club need a full-time employee to mastermind their second BBL season.
Smith, who led Thunder to two regular season titles and one play-off crown in the second tier EBL division one, is believed to be disappointed by developments.
Under his guidance, Thunder were surprise play-off contenders in their debut BBL campaign before slipping to a final record of ten wins from 33 games.
Gainsbury said: “Clearly this is the hardest decision I have had to make since taking charge.
“Gary has been a loyal servant of Worthing basketball for 20 years. However, the club needs to consolidate its coaching and our expansion and integration with Worthing College, Angmering Academy and Chichester University as well as coaching in local schools.
“This needs to be a full-time role which Gary’s work, together with his increasing study and family commitments, do not allow.”
The need for a full-time appointment could rule out two possible in-house candidates in Phil Waghorn and Daniel Hildreth.
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