Agreed, LC. Although I'd hope that Simmons issues were due to immaturity, and Maker's non-appearance in a Boomers singlet was strategic decision so that his deficiencies were not exposed to scouts. Simmons officially withdrew himself from Rio, but even if that was to cover his non-selection, I'd be totally comfortable in the case it was Lemanis's non-selection. Simmons couldn't expect to walk into a major role on the national team with his game as it was.
The new FIBA qualification process surely means we need a coach based in Australia. So if it is part-time, the coach needs a job based in Australia too. This won't be just a coach for major tournaments with NBA-based players. The Boomers team will be predominantly NBL-based for most of the qualification period until the 2019 World Cup. Apart from the home-away FIBA qualification series, there is also the Asia Cup and the Commonwealth Games. Nearly all will comprise of mostly NBL players.
IMO Lemanis is the best choice. He had the Boomers playing their best basketball ever, he is based in Australia, he knows NBL players, and he has experience with the international game. BA ought to do whatever they can to keep Lemanis around. Otherwise, I'd be inclined to try to secure a top proven local coach, someone familiar with our NBL-based players, who also has international experience. Beveridge (coached the 2003 junior team to gold)? Gleeson (assistant in Rio under Lemanis)? McLeod (Boomers assistant in 2008)? Hurley (assistant in Rio under Lemanis, 1988 1992 head coach)? Goorjian would be very capable, but now he is based in China.