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Mike McHugh has not sought reappointment as head coach of the New Zealand women's basketball team, saying it is time for a break.
There are 16 applicants including from Europe and the United States lining up to replace him, New Zealand Basketball said today.
The Tall Ferns went to their third consecutive Olympic Games in Beijing last year, beating only Mali as they compiled a record of one win and four defeats.
McHugh, who took over from Tom Maher in 2005, guided the Tall Ferns to a silver medal at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Last April the team beat world champions Australia for the first time at a pre-Olympics test event. Over this period, the Tall Ferns rose to a world ranking of 16th.
But the 2008 campaign proved an emotional rollercoaster, which ended with the withdrawal of the Christchurch Sirens from the Australian WNBL and Sparc's decision to cut funding to the national team programme.
McHugh, team leader of the Sparc coaching unit, has decided to step off the ride.
"I've been coaching for nearly 40 years and at this level for 16, so it's time for a break," McHugh said.
"I won't be lost to basketball - I'm still keen to be involved as a resource where needed."
McHugh is helping prepare the Junior Tall Blacks for the world under-19 championships in July.
Applicants to replace McHugh will be short-listed next week.
- NZPA
