Following the sacking of Des Hasler, the Canterbury Bulldogs have brought back a former player with coaching experience to take over the head coaching mantle.
That man is Dean Pay, a former Bulldogs player himself, with the club and Pay coming to an agreement for the next two seasons.
In total, Pay played 108 games for the Bulldogs side and was a part of their 1995 premiership success as well as playing for both Australia and NSW.
Pay has been across numerous clubs in his coaching career; serving under Kevin Walters as an assistant at Catalans before similar roles at the Melbourne Storm, the Parramatta Eels and the Canberra Raiders.
Pay admits that he is excited about the new role particularly at a club that he knows well.
“It’s a tremendous honour to be offered the Head Coach’s role at a club that I loved playing for,” said Pay.
Having learnt under some great coaches, I now believe that the time is right for me to step up into the Head Coach’s role.”
Pay looks forward to getting the best out of the players and improving the club’s overall play as they look to get back into the finals in 2018.
The Bulldogs have a great history and tradition and I’m looking forward to the chance to work with a talented group of players, where respect and discipline will be the cornerstones of how we go about our business,” continued Pay.
“The club has great foundations, facilities, staff and an incredible fan base. It is important that we work hard to make our supporters proud.”
In the end, from a club perspective, getting in a person like Pay was important as they already know the club, its values and its history.
“We are extremely happy to have been able to secure the services of Dean Pay for the next two seasons,” said Bulldogs Chairman Ray Dib.
“Dean is a Bulldogs man through and through and someone who totally understands the history and tradition of the club.
Culture is a word thrown around a lot in rugby league these days and Dib believes that Pay is the man to bring that back to the Bulldogs.
“He was an outstanding player with the club and has carried that over into his coaching career, where he has worked under some excellent coaches, as well as showing that he can lead from the front with his superb record with the NSW Under 20’s side,” continued Dib.
“We want to bring back the Bulldogs culture of old and feel strongly that Dean is the man to do this.”