Some Roosters fans will applaud the move, whilst others may see it as moving in the wrong direction, but, nevertheless, Roosters U20’s coach Jason Taylor has been promoted to the role of Assistant coach, under incoming boss Trent Robinson, for the 2013 NRL season.
Taylor, who was previously under consideration for the head coaching role at the club, will replace Rohan Smith (the son of former Roosters coach Brian Smith) and Matthew Elliott (a former Panthers and Raiders coach), both of whom are unlikely to be at the club in 2013.
With Robinson currently in France, as coach of the Catalans Dragons, the incoming Roosters coach was keen to have Taylor on board as an Assistant, during his tenure as coach.
“Trent was keen for JT to be involved,” said Roosters Chief Executive Steve Noyce.
“Trent is obviously in France at the moment, busy with his team over there, but in consultation with our club, he has worked through some immediate issues, and one of those involved the appointment of Jason.”
“They are both St Gregory’s College boys, although a few years apart. We believe they are going to work well together.”
“It was a good way for Jason to get back into coaching, with the under-20’s here, but he was an ex-first grade coach who was ready and willing to play a part again at that level.”
The opportunity to work with the U20’s was one that Taylor took in his stride, however, using the experience at that level to hone his skills, as well as develop his approach to coaching.
“I had some things I was working on at Souths that I was able to continue working on with the under-20’s,” Taylor said.
“I feel like I was able to get that done, so it’s been a great experience for me. Now I feel I can move into a full-time assistant coaching role with a great deal of confidence, so I’m really looking forward to it. I believe I’m a better coach now, than I was at Souths.