Launceston Tornadoes have released coach Derrick Washington from this year's contract, the American citing "to seek new opportunities" back home for departing short of the club's final three games of the NBL1 season.
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"I'm just heading back to seek new opportunities. I want to coach at the highest level," Washington said.
"I'm just thankful of the Tornadoes for giving me this opportunity to do this."
But the one-time WNBA development coach also said there was no position waiting in the US that is preventing him to stay on until the club's farewell fixture at Elphin Sports Centre on July 20.
Washington won't actually fly out from Australia until the end of the month.
Assistant coach Michael Johnstone will assume duties for a second straight week.
"Summertime back home is a time when there's opportunities still available," he said. "The club and I talked about it, and we felt it would be great for me to pursue."
"At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if we win or lose," Washington said.
Washington refused to entertain speculation whether or not he was more inclined to stay had Launceston remained in finals' contention.
But he admitted the final call to leave had lingered on deep into the season.
"It wasn't just like yesterday - it has been going on all over like for the past week or so," Washington said.
"It was a tough decision."
Despite walking out on the club amid the floundering season, Washington insists his players still "love me".
"They don't want this to happen. Nobody wants their head coach to leave, but they know my goals. I'm all about my players," he said.
Tornadoes chairwoman Janie Finlay said the club had agreed to part ways for the good of their coach.
"We're willing to give Derrick a head start," she said.
The club board will discuss the search for a new coach over the next few weeks.
Finlay felt the Torns will lack no willing applicants.
"We will scour locally first, then nationally and internationally. We have always been a club that has a great reputation of where people want to come," she said.
The Tornadoes have had four different coaches over the past four seasons.