Ian Robilliard says he has mixed emotions about standing down as Sydney Kings coach and being appointed interim chief executive officer in an organisational reshuffle at the NBL club.

Robilliard, who had coached the club since their re-admission into the competition for the 2010-11 season, stood down from the post on Thursday and assumed the role of interim CEO after the departure of executive director Stephen Dunn.

Sydney finished last in their first season back and are virtually out of contention for this season’s playoffs, with a 8-13 record that has them running seventh out of nine clubs.

Robilliard’s coaching contract expired at the end of the season.

He chuckled at the suggestion that being moved from coach to CEO could be interpreted by some as a promotion.

Asked for his reaction to the move, Robilliard, who also played for the Kings, said “with mixed emotions, that’s the nature of where we find ourselves.”

Tim Hudson, Robilliard’s assistant coach this season, will act as head coach for the Kings’ clash away to Perth on Sunday.

The club is hopeful of appointing a permanent coach by the time of their next game at home to Townsville on Sunday week.

Team officials revealed they had already received at least five expressions of interest for the post before it had even been advertised.

Robilliard said he could be involved “to a degree” in the club’s hunt for a new head coach, but stressed it ultimately would be the decision of the team committee.

He will be interim CEO until June and hasn’t ruled out applying for the permanent post.

Robilliard said there were five or six areas he would focus on before his time as interim CEO expired.

“In terms of team operations, re-signing (players) is important. The club has started that,” Robilliard said.

“There are issues that surround dates and venues and schedules for next season, there’s work to be done at government level, NBL level and work to be done internally on structures.”