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‘I walk away feeling proud’: Boomers to search for new coach after Olympic quarterfinal exit

‘I walk away feeling proud’: Boomers to search for new coach after Olympic quarterfinal exit

Australia’s men’s basketball team is on the lookout for a new head coach after Brian Goorjian revealed his time with the Boomers had come to an end.  

The Boomers’ Paris Olympics campaign came to a heartbreaking conclusion at the hands of Serbia on Tuesday, despite some final quarter heroics from Patty Mills forcing the quarterfinal clash into overtime. 

Australia led by as many as 24 points in the second term of the quarterfinal, before Serbia roared back, led by NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.

ABC Sport is live blogging every day of the Paris Olympics

The might of the Serbian side — the world number four ranked team — proved too strong for the Australian underdogs, who were bundled out of Olympic contention 95-90. 

Speaking outside the Olympic precinct, Goorjian confirmed his time with the Boomers had come to an end. 

“This was always the plan,” the 71-year-old said. 

“I think I’ve been an important piece of this process and it’s time to move away.”

Patty Mills caught fire in the first half and carried Australia to a big lead.(Getty Images: Gregory Shamus)

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Goorjian has spent more than a decade with the Boomers across two separate stints. 

He led the Boomers for 115 games between 2002 and 2008 including two Olympic Games. 

He then returned to the helm of the Boomers in 2020.

“When I get off the plane, I’ll walk away feeling proud of my contribution over my 16 years I’ve been with the Boomers,” Goorjian said. 

“I like the culture, I like where the team’s at. I like the group I’ve finished with, and I like the group I’ve left moving forward with.”

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