Trusted assistant Jacob Jackomas will step up into the top job, having worked alongside his mentor for multiple years.

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The Hawks received a brief taste of the future earlier this season, when Jackomas coached the side against Melbourne United while Goorjian was in isolation with COVID-19 in March.

The six-time NBL winner will remain with the club, as a special adviser for basketball operations, however he is considering offers from a number of international teams. He will also remain as coach of the Boomers.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed my last two seasons with the Hawks, where we've performed extremely well and reached the top four on both occasions," Goorjian said.

"I'm extremely proud of everything we achieved on the court and look forward to helping the club in any way I can moving forward.

"This move also allows my long-time assistant coach Jacob, who I have complete faith in, his chance to prove himself in the NBL.

"The plan was always for Jacob to succeed me at the Hawks and the club, thanks to the excellent staff and owners, is in an extremely strong position - which is really exciting for all involved.

"The strides this organisation has made in the Illawarra community over the past two seasons have been incredible and I'm excited to see what Jacob, the returning players, owners and staff can do in the coming years.

"I'd particularly like to thank, in addition to the coaching staff, high performance manager Alex Moore, team doctor Steffan Eriksson, team operations manager Joe Tertzakian, team manager Phil Driscoll and physiotherapist Scott Muttdon, from BaiMed, for their terrific work.

"I love Wollongong and want to see the fans celebrate a second championship banner very soon."

Jackomas has followed Goorjian across the world, from the Sydney Kings to the Shenzen Leopards and the Shanghai Sharks in the Chinese league before returning to Australia to work at the Hawks.

Having worked alongside his mentor for more than a decade, Jackomas feels he has served his apprenticeship and is ready to step into the head coaching role.

"Everyone here has been extremely lucky to work with and learn from Brian over the past two seasons and my coaching staff's mission is to build on that moving forward," Jackomas said.

"I'm extremely excited about the opportunity presented to me because it's always been a dream of mine to coach at the highest level and the NBL is one of the top leagues around the world.

"On top of that, the core we already have here in place fires me up and I'm looking forward to adding more pieces in the coming months, as we start our quest on the NBL 23 banner."

"Basketball in this country is as strong as I've seen it, which is saying a lot as I started coaching here in the NBL in 1988," the six-time NBL champion said.

"Full credit to Larry Kestelman and the NBL office, for their superb job, particularly over the past two years with managing all the disruptions caused by COVID-19."

Goorjian's move comes amid a wider shakeup within the Hawks organisation, with president Dorry Kordahi standing down last month.

Acing president Mat Campbell thanked the coach for his contribution to the side in his two years in charge.

"We're extremely thankful for everything Brian has done for us over the past two years - he and his staff, as well as the owners, have completely re-energised our proud club," Campbell said.

"While his involvement at the club might be a little different moving forward, we know he is supportive and always available to help in any way the club requires.

"More to that, the whole club is excited to see what Jacob and our team can do on the hardwood on NBL23."

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