Coaching search heats up

THE Gold Coast Dolphins are likely to have a new men’s head coach in place by the end of May as the search intensifies for the person to continue their Queensland Premier Cricket revival.

Without a full-time coach since the sacking of Jerry Cassell in November, the Dolphins have made do with assistants Peter Ford and Nathan Anson and the support of specialists Andrew Robinson, Grant Parmenter and Scott Muller.

Three weeks ago, the club officially began the process of appointing Cassell’s successor after opening formal applications, with director of coaching Chris Swan hopeful more names will enter the race before the April 30 closing date.

“We’ve received a few expressions of interest and a few formal applications. It’d be nice to have a few selection choices to see which sort of model fits our club,” the former Queensland Bulls quick said.

“(The new coach has) got to be driven, they’ve got to be motivated and have a plan. For a program that’s clearly worked in the past, the new head coach won’t have to change a lot except bring his own motivation and drive to the role.

“It really is a great opportunity for any aspiring coach to go to the next level. We will appoint the head coach first (and then assistants).”

The Bulletin understands a Cricket Gold Coast coach is among those to have submitted an application.

The Dolphins’ top side defied its inexperience to finish sixth in the two-day format this season, with Max Bryant and Matt Kuhnemann making debuts for Queensland and Josh Kann playing for the Australian under-19s and state second XI.