Basketball On The Internet.

ILLAWARRA today axed coach Jacob Jackomas, replacing him - temporarily it would appear - with assistant Justin Tatum, the father of Boston Celtics NBA All Star Jayson, as it searches for a new head man.

Jackomas, who was an assistant to NBL coaching guru and Australian Boomers boss Brian Goorjian at the Hawks, generally seemed out of his depth as the head coach, despite his mentor's ringing endorsement for the role.

Illawarra finished last in Jackomas' 2022-23 debut with a 3-25 win-loss record and was 2-7 after nine games this season, losing last round in Cairns to a Taipans line-up missing injured starters Patrick Miller and Bobi Klintman.

In a club-issued statement today, Illawarra said the Hawks and Jackomas had "agreed to part company", effective immediately.

The release also said Tatum would fill the interim coaching role while the club sought a new head coach.

Goorjian, who is focusing on taking the Boomers back to the medal podium at next year's Paris Olympics, confirmed he had been approached.

And the Hawks' previous successful mentor, Rob Beveridge, appeared to rule himself out with a comment he posted on Facebook in connection with Illawarra's decision.

Joey Wright, who took last-placed teams at Brisbane, Gold Coast and Adelaide straight into finals, repeatedly has ruled out an NBL coaching return under the league's current management structure. 

He confirmed he was approached but was not interested.