Multiple sources close to the Hawks have confirmed to The Illawarra Mercury that Flinn has penned a deal to take charge of the NBL foundation club.

It will be Flinn's first head coaching role in the NBL after spending more than a decade as the understudy to various coaches since 2007. 

He will replace NBL championship winning coach Rob Beveridge, who departed the Hawks after four seasons in charge last month.

It is understood Beveridge is the front-runner to take departing Sydney Kings coach Andrew Gaze's position at the helm of Illawarra's arch rivals for next season. 

A former Hawks player, Flinn has long been touted as a likely replacement for Beveridge.

Rumours surfaced as early as 12 months ago that he would assume the role should it become vacant. 

It is understood Illawarra weighed up a number of options for the role before settling on the local product late last week. Former Kings coach and captain Shane Heal was rumoured to be in contention for the role, but no deal was struck with the ex-Boomers representative. 

Hawks legend Glen Saville's name was also mentioned as a possible option as well as former New Zealand Breakers boss Paul Henare. 

The Hawks are also expected to announce a new assistant. 

It is unknown if current assistant coach Eric Cooks will continue in his deputy role at the club.

Illawarra will be looking to rebound from a disappointing 2018-19 campaign which saw them miss finals and finish in seventh on the ladder with a 12-16 record.

The club currently only has five players signed for next season.

Young guns Emmett Naar, Daniel Grida and Angus Glover are all contracted, with Todd Blanchfield and Tim Coenraad also on the books. 

The 2018-19 NBL campaign is set to wrap up over the next fortnight as Perth Wildcats and Melbourne United battle it out in the grand final series.

Game one tips off in Perth on Friday night, with United set to host the Wildcats in Melbourne two days later.