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Nick Stiles officially named new Reds coach

25th July, 2016
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Nick Stiles - here in his playing days - will be the new coach of the Reds. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins).
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25th July, 2016
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Nick Stiles has been named as the new head coach for the Reds, beating out co-coach Matt O’Connor for the top job.

Stiles has signed a deal for the next two years, staying with the club that he played 12 seasons for, and has been in the coaching system since his retirement in 2005.

In a tight battle with O’Connor and other applicants who haven’t been revealed under confidence, Stiles has been praised for his ability to improve and develop players. It’s understood Todd Blackadder, the outgoing Crusaders coach, was another strong candidate.

QRU’s Executive General Manager Daniel Herbert said that Stiles has “proven to be technically astute and has a strong record of developing players both young and old.

“He is a passionate Queenslander who understands the DNA of Queensland Rugby.”

Stiles was humbled by the announcement, but showed a real purpose throughout the press conference in what he wants to achieve and the playing group he has helped to build.

“I’m incredibly proud and honoured to get the opportunity to lead the Reds into the future”, he said.

“It’s going to be challenging and we’ve got a lot of work to do, but that will make it all the more rewarding.”

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“I have the chance to make individual decisions and put my foot print on the team going forward.”.

A very rough season for the Queensland side had put both coaches under pressure, with many fans questioning the two-coach system after Richard Graham was shown the door just two rounds into 2016.

As expected, Quade Cooper has been heavily talked about in recent weeks, with the former Red and Wallaby publicly expressing his tentativeness to join the club with the coaching situation they were in.

While Stiles did confirm he has been speaking with Cooper regularly, he made it very clear that he hasn’t signed a contract of any sorts as of yet, despite Cooper endorsing Stiles for head coach.

For O’Connor, the 45-year old has been moved on from the club, with a possible coaching gig at the Western Force already being speculated.

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