Former Mars boys basketball head coach Rob Carmody. Athletic director Zach Matusak said he’s casting a wide net to find Carmody’s replacement after 17 years. Butler Eagle file photo

Mars athletic director Zach Matusak is looking outside the boys basketball coaching staff as he tries to fill the Planets’ head coach opening just a few months before the season begins.

He hopes to have a new boys basketball head coach by early October, replacing longtime coach Rob Carmody, who stepped down Aug. 28 after 26 years. The Planets host North Allegheny to open the season Dec. 3.

And Matusak wants to bring in a different voice to start a new era.

“One of the biggest things is you’re not going looking for Rob Carmody 2.0,” Matusak said. “I think that’s when people start hiring incorrectly because they’re trying to find what ... just left. Each person is going to be unique, so we have specific traits and characteristics that we’re looking for.”

Matusak said he’s cast a wide net, emailing a number of colleges seeking any coaches or former players that might be interested. Candidates will go through a strategic interview process.

“We want to make sure we hire the right person first and then the sport second — make sure they’re the correct fit,” he said.

The timing in which Carmody left his post has limited the candidate pool, Matusak said; assistant coaches at other schools who may normally be a candidate earlier in the offseason might not want to start anew with little time until the season begins.

Carmody had coached the program since the 1998-99 campaign. He put a good word in for each of the assistants on his coaching staff when that tenure ended, but Matusak has made a point to seek out external options, too.

“I also think Rob realizes that my job is to make the correct hire,” Matusak said. “(If) I need to bounce ideas or any concepts or people off (him), he’s been there.”

Planets’ girls hoops coach Zack Stitt is another resource Matusak will rely on. Matusak hired Stitt from the Cornell University women’s basketball coaching staff two summers ago.

“Experience is very helpful, but I also gained another outstanding individual to help me through this process,” Matusak said. “In the last interview (round), Coach Stitt will be in there to help speak a little bit more on the Xs and Os component. ... I had Rob do that when I hired Zach.”

The program’s tradition of success makes Mars a desirable coaching destination, Matusak said. Carmody steered the Planets to 17 consecutive WPIAL playoff appearances, a pair of WPIAL crowns and a couple of state championship showings.

“They understand that we have high expectations and a high standard here,” Matusak said. “The people that are applying for that are the ones that embrace that. ... We’re not looking for just anyone.”

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated how many years Carmody had coaches Mars boys basketball. It was corrected 3 p.m. Monday to reflect he coached the program for 26 years.