STAR international import Brian Shelley will coach the Ballarat Red Devils next year.The Irish recruit was announced as the new senior coach yesterday after dominating for the club in his first season this year.He has signed on for at least two years, as the Haymes Red Devils look to promotion from the State League Division Two.Shelley said he fielded offers from other Irish and Melbourne clubs to be a player or coach but insisted the Red Devils was the standout choice.He will be a playing coach, while technical director Paul Smalley will be the voice from the sidelines on game day.With the hope of being promoted to the Victorian Premier League, Shelley said he was not afraid of making the tough calls.The Red Devils must be promoted twice to reach the state’s top league.“We really need to raise the bar, the club has been in this division for too long,” Shelley said.“The main thing that has to change is the players. There are going to have to be some that are moved on, and fresh faces will have to come into the side.”Shelley said he had always wanted to establish himself as a coach, and although it happened sooner than he expected, he was thrilled with the opportunity.“It was no secret I came out here to get a good coaching position. It happened sooner than I imagined though,” he said.“There are going to be lots of new things in place. It’s realistic to get promoted but we have to have a good structure in the team.Shelley played 66 games with Carlisle United, helping them in a play-off win in the Football Conference. He has played eight European Cup (Champions League) matches and seven UEFA Cup matches.Follow @Pat__Nolan