Kings promote Tomlinson to head coach

Long-time assistant coach Bill Tomlinson has been appointed head coach of the Sydney Kings following Brian Goorjian's departure.

Tomlinson has spent the last six years working alongside Goorjian, helping coach the Kings to three NBL championships in that period.

"I am pleased to accept the head coach position with the Sydney Kings," Tomlinson said.

"I have worked with this club for eight years and these particular players for over 12 months.

"I look forward to working closely with them again and giving fans another great season of basketball and ultimately the championship title."

Owner Tim Johnston said Tomlinson's passion for the Kings and more than 25 years experience made him perfect for the position.

"He has the unwavering support of the players and his appointment was unanimously backed by them," Johnston said.

"We have every confidence that he'll give the players and fans many more great seasons of basketball.

"He has our full support."

Johnston is looking to sell a majority interest in the NBL side and his controversial fuel technology company Firepower will no longer be a sponsor, The Daily Telegraph reported on Friday.

Former Kings owner Mike Wrublewski is working with Johnston to find a buyer after a cash-flow problem this past season.

"Tim understands clearly that the whole way the team has to be run needs to be changed," Wrublewski told the newspaper.

"Tim will hold on to a much, much smaller percentage of the team.

"The new structure will be completely different."</p>