Club legend Eric Hayes has stepped up as Ballarat Miners' head coach.
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Hayes' promotion enacts a succession plan at the MARS Minerdome - David Flint, the man he served under as assistant the past two seasons will now be Hayes' assistant in the South East Australian Basketball League.
A move to head coach for the city's premier men's basketball team has been a work in progress for Hayes, who has coached club and representative teams across all age divisions.
He said now the timing felt right for his next coaching challenge.
"I've been working on trying to prepare myself for this opportunity a long time and, preparation-wise, I feel more prepared than I've ever felt," Hayes said.
"This year has been a really busy year and now I have a chance to focus on one team to coach - that simplifies things."
The Miners appointed the Flint-Hayes coaching team in January 2013 in the shock departure of Guy Molloy and with the intention to build on foundations Molloy had set in the elite men's program.
Flint signed for two years, with the option for a third, and said his plan was to always hand over the reigns to Hayes after that second SEABL season.
This comes after the pairing led the GMHBA Miners to the team's first SEABL finals in eight years.
Flint, the legendary Bendigo Braves player and coach, was excited to still be involved and mentoring Hayes at the Minerdome.
"I think the club will go from strength to strength," Flint said.
"I respect Eric so much as a player and for what we've done coaching together and I know he feels the same way in how we coach.
"My commitment to the team, the club and players won't change - my role has.
"I can't wait."
Respect for each other is shared by Hayes, who was thrilled to have the chance to learn and work with his former cross-town rival.
Hayes said they had similar backgrounds in playing era and having both grown up in the United States.
In partnership, Hayes' driven and intense style complements Flint's laid back approach to the game to get the best out of their roster.
Both have decorated playing careers.
Hayes hold the SEABL's all-time games record of 438, Flint is ranked seventh on 318 games, and Hayes also ranks in the SEABL top 10 for points, assists, rebounds and steals.
He retired in 2007 but was lured out of retirement for one more season in 2008 and has played under a strong of decorated Miners' coaches including Al Westover, Eric Lowe, Paul Hotchin, Paul Tudorovic, Brendan Joyce, Shane Mathison, Matt Shanahan, Ray Borner and Mark Leader.
Hayes said it was exciting to follow in their footsteps and coach the team he represented so long - but it was a little daunting too.
"The team was successful this year and there will certainly be expectations to continue our success but I guess also, from when I played here and did what I did as a player, that brings about expectations too," Hayes said.
"I need to just focus on who I am as a coach...hopefully I've learned a bit from all the coaches I've had here and takes all the good bits from each person."