Orange boys’ basketball Coach Richard Bossenmeyer has...

Orange boys’ basketball Coach Richard Bossenmeyer has resigned to be an assistant coach with the Rapid City (S.D.) Thrillers of the Continental Basketball Assn.

He is replacing Mark McNamara, a former NBA player who wants to resume that career.

Taking over for Bossenmeyer, who will leave the school Thursday, is Mark Holman, a 1986 graduate of Orange and former Century League athlete of year. Holman, who will be an interim coach, has been a basketball coach as well as an assistant on the track team the past four years at Orange.

Bossenmeyer, who won three Century League titles in four seasons at Orange, compiled a 61-41 overall record. He said Thrillers Coach Eric Musselman offered him the job Monday night.

“I had met with Eric’s father (and former college, CBA, ABA and NBA coach) Bill Musselman at a camp this summer,” Bossenmeyer said. “We got to talking and he said he was sorry Eric had not met me because he had hired a guy already. But (Monday) at noon I got a message from Eric that I should give him a call. I did, we talked, and he asked me to come aboard. It’s the experience of lifetime.”

Musselman agreed. “Both my dad and (former NBA scout) Herb Livsey, who runs the summer camp where Rich worked, highly recommended him. So when the opening came, I felt we had to get him.”

Said Bossenmeyer: “I feel deep in my heart I am a high school coach. But I don’t want to look back later and say ‘what if.’ I’ll take the year as a learning experience and see if I enjoy it.”

Dave Zirkle, Orange athletic director, said Bossenmeyer was granted a leave of absence. If the job is not to his liking, Bossenmeyer can return as the Orange coach next season.