In fact selling the league battlers to potential recruits is a snack compared to the tough sell he made over the dinner table a decade ago as he looked to move into professional coaching.

Then a teacher at Illawarra Sports High, Flinn didn't need the headaches that go with life in the cut-throat world or professional sport where coaches are permanently on the endangered species list.

It was a path more certain, but when Gordie McLeod was appointed as coach in 2009 to drag the club back of death's door, Flinn had a decision to make.

He'd long been involved in the club on a part-time basis, but McLeod was asking him to go all-in and, make no mistake, it was a move that put all his chips on the table.

"I had a fulltime job at Illawarra Sports High and was in charge of basketball there at the same time Brendan Joyce departed the club," Flinn recalls.

"When Brendan left I got straight on the phone with Cooky [Eric Cooks] and he gave me my shot. It was part-time, I took leave without pay.

"In 2009 we thought the club was going to die before Mat Campbell came in and saved it and brought in Gordie McLeod. Gordie rang me why I was at school and he offered me an assistant coach role.

"I'd already taken leave without pay and the department said I had to make the call. It was a tough sell to go home and have that chat with the missus and say 'look I want to chuck in this job for the secure industry of professional coaching'.

"It was a tough conversation but I'm really fortunate to have a really supportive family. You've got to be happy in what you do and this just felt natural to me."

Moving into his rookie season it was clearly the right move, but there were no guarantees then. It's why the significance of the opportunity isn't lost on him.

"It's amazing being given the privilege to do this," he said.

"I certainly believe I'm ready to do it. Before Bevo [Rob Beveridge] came in I could've gone through the process of throwing my hat in the ring but I felt I wasn't quite ready at that stage.

"To then come in and learn from a different coach was really good for me. When it came about and I went through the process to get the gig this time it just felt right.

"It was a tough process to go through and it's certainly not something you can take lightly, particularly the responsibility it holds in this town, but I'm really excited about it. It's a dream come true.

"I've filled pretty much every role in Illawarra basketball, from towel boy to now head coach. It won't be without its challenges but I'm really looking forward to it."

Challenge is an understatement. As the league continues to grow in strength and profile, the financial gap between the rich and poor grows exponentially.

There's no prizes for guessing at which end of that spectrum the Hawks sit. It's a reality the foundation club has confronted in building it's roster that - with some notable exceptions - is conspicuously young.

Read more: NBL champion Josh Boone signs with Illawarra Hawks

Emmett Naar and Daniel Grida are entering just their second season as pros and will be joined by rookie Sam Froling and former Perth development player Sunday Dech.

It's seen plenty of commentators put a line through the Hawks as finals contenders. For his part it doesn't rile Flinn, but he maintains a quiet confidence that the youth will shine.

"I do get it when people say we're young because we are young," Flinn said.

"To be honest if I was just sitting on a [commentary] panel and looked at the young squad, I might even be with them but I fully believe they're up for it and they're ready.

"Youth and enthusiasm goes a long way. I watch a lot of NRL and what Freddy [Brad Fittler] did with the Blues last year, those baby blues, the enthusiasm around that whole campaign was something I really took note of.

"These kids are going to bring that every day in practice and we've got high expectations within the group. I never listen to any outside noise, I don't read a lot of social media, I don't watch a lot of it.

"As I go through I'm sure I'll hear things but that's fine. Every year we're picked to finish seventh or eight, now possibly ninth, but I enjoy that. I love the underdog tag.

"I've got a lot of belief in the young guys we've signed and watch this space for the Americans we sign, [commentators] might change their tune."

One of those Americans is a done deal, with the club confirming the signature former Brooklyn Nets big man and NBL championship-winner Josh Boone last week.

The veteran of 256 NBA appearances is 34, but could well prove one of the most significant signings in the club's history. Flinn is more than confident Boone's presence will see the whole squad walk a little taller.

"It was a big get," Flinn said.

"I've had multiple discussions with him and you get a good feel for someone straight away.

"We all know it's a business but, even after the last two off-seasons he's had with United, he still had nothing but praise for Melbourne.

"Sometimes you speak to people and they're quick to lay the boot into their former club but there was never any hint of that. It says a lot about his character.

"He was really interested in the roster and where we're going. He was honest with me about our youth and that that was an initial concern for him but he got really excited.

"He said 'coach just listening to you I'm really excited'. He's going to be a great fit for us."

While Boone will certainly prove a mentor to the club's younger contingent, Flinn also believes it can bring the best of AJ Ogilvy, who's also re-signed for a further season.

Ogilvy was an All-NBL First Team centre in his first three years in the league but his form has been hampered by injury in recent seasons.

Flinn is confident Boone can unlock the form that made him one of the league most dominant bigs.

"I think bringing a guy like Josh in who's not needy, he plays without the ball, is going to give AJ the freedom to be the All-Star centre we know he can be," Flinn said.

"It's also not going to place the massive burden on him to carry the can on the glass night after night.

"My challenge is going to be how these two are going to play together. It was something I wrestled with during he recruiting of Josh but that's the challenge for me."

Boone's signing leaves two spots left to fill on the roster. Flinn makes no secret of the fact he'll be looking to fill one of them with an import guard, but is yet to decide how the club will fill the remaining spot.

"I haven't made the call yet on whether it's going to be two or three [imports]," Flinn said.

"We obviously do need someone else in the back court and we need someone who can score. I'm in discussions with a range of different guards. Whether to go with a third import or not I'm yet to determine.

"I'm leaning towards the model of two imports and having that third import [spot] gives you the flexibility to cover injuries or, if we do have a deficiency somewhere, I can have the flexibility to go there.

"I've been very open with the ownership group about that theory and, if we do go that way, I'll be pretty honest with the Aussie that comes into that spot as well."