EAMMON Gill will coach Redan in his own right next season after 2012 co-coach Brendan Peace’s decision to step down.
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Gill, who shared the coaching duties this year for the first time with Peace, has been reappointed senior coach for 2013, with two time Ballarat Football League premiership coach Kieran Murrihy stepping into the role of director of coaching.
Peace, who was Redan playing coach from 2009, will continue to play for the L&H Lions next season.
Gill, 26, said ensuring Peace’s continued involvement was a priority upon re-signing at City Oval.
“The board approached me prior to the finals and asked if I would be interested (in coaching again),” Gill said yesterday.
“I really enjoy coaching so I was keen to go again.
“The first thing I did after taking on the role was to ring Brendan to keep him as a player.
“You certainly want to keep that level of experience, leadership and knowledge at the club.”=Gill coached the Redan reserves for three years after he was told at age 21 by a surgeon not to play football again due to a back injury.
He will be supported in the senior coaching role by Murrihy, whose primary responsibility will be developing and mentoring under-18.5 players to step into the senior team.
“Kieran won’t necessarily be at all games or directly involved in selection,” Gill said.
“Our under-18.5s and reserves won the premiership this year and that’s where our future is.
Peace said coaching football at a senior level was particularly demanding and his decision to step away was due to outside pressures.
“I just want to concentrate on getting a kick next year,” Peace joked yesterday.
“The main reason was I wanted to take a step back because I’ve got other commitments away from football, personally and with work.”
The Lions will begin their pre-season training late November.
gavin.mcgrath@thecourier.com.au