Outgoing Illawarra coach Rob Beveridge says he'd be "silly" not to consider a move to Sydney if the opportunity arose, but insists he's yet to have any contact with the Kings or any other NBL club.
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If follows confirmation on Wednesday that Beveridge and the Hawks had mutually agreed not to renew his contract, ending his four-year tenure as head coach.
Confirmation of his departure from has seen persistent whispers linking him to a move north grow to a dull roar, particularly on the back of Kings coach Andrew Gaze's decision to move on at season's end.
Beveridge said you would have to be living under a rock to have not heard the chatter but said he's yet to have any discussions with Sydney or elsewhere.
"Of course if the opportunity arose [with Sydney] you'd be silly not to look at it but the fact is there's been no contact between myself or the Kings," Beveridge said.
"My manager's currently overseas and we'll sit down when he returns and go through the due process. That'll include other clubs as well.
"I'll look at all options, that includes opportunities overseas, whether it's a move sideways into mentoring or consulting or junior development
"As of now I've not made any decisions. I just want to enjoy the time I have left with the club and this group of guys I've had this season."
Beveridge admits he had feared an embittered response from Hawks fans but has instead been left "overwhelmed" by well-wishes from the Illawarra faithful.
"It's been unbelievably humbling, I've honestly been surprised," Beveridge said.
"I thought some people may have thought 'oh you're leaving for money' or 'you're abandoning the club' or whatever but it's been nothing like that.
"I've received almost 300 messages via text or Facebook and it's been really overwhelming. This club has incredible fans and I'm just very thankful to have been a part of it.
"I've had an incredible four years here, from where we were when I started to going to a semi-final and grand final. We were competitive in every season.
"I'm just really proud to have been part of such a proud traditional club with the history it has. I'll always cherish that."
Beveridge came into the role with the Hawks coming out of voluntary administration, taking it the post-season his first two years.
The club has missed the finals the past two seasons and the 300-game coach said he simply felt it was the right time to move on.
"I've been her four years, it's the end of the season now and I think it's just time for change for the club and myself," he said.
"I'm comfortable with where the club's at, I really believe it's in a stronger position than it was when I got here. That's all you want to do as a coach.
"When you look at the young talent we brought in that'll be here for the next number of years there's definitely something there for the club to build upon."
It leaves the Hawks in search of a new head coach, thought it won't be former Kings coach Shane Heal despite persistent rumours linking him to Illawarra.
Current assistant Matt Flinn is one name on a shortlist amid a wider coaching merry-go-round that's likely to see four of the eight clubs on the lookout for new coaches.