Geelong and coach Chris Scott have agreed to terms on a new deal that ties him to the AFL club until the end of the 2022 season.
The Cats announced Scott, who was contracted for next year, signed a three-year contract extension on Monday.
Since he arrived at the end of the 2010 season, Geelong have won the 2011 premiership, reached the finals six times in seven attempts and are on the verge of playing finals again this season.
“It’s a commitment to the path that we’re on as a group,” Scott said on Fox Footy’s AFL360 of the length of the new contract.
“We have been through a period probably over the past seven or eight years of transitioning our list and trying to rebuild on the run a little bit.
“(The long-term deal) is probably a reflection that we still think there’s a fair way to go on the journey we’re on.
“(But) it still feels pretty fresh for us all and we’re aware there is still a lot of work to be done.
“When we look at the possibilities in front of us it’s really exciting.”
If Scott sees out the term of his new deal he will be second only to club great Reg Hickey in the number of games coached, passing fellow premiership coach Mark Thompson who is currently second.
“Chris has shown himself to be one of the best coaches in the AFL, and we believe the team is in great hands with Chris as our senior coach,” Geelong president Colin Carter said.
“We have seen a great period of change with our list, with only four members of our 2011 premiership team still with us.
“To have been able to integrate so many new players into our club, play attractive football and keep us consistently in the finals mix has been an exceptional effort.
“We are excited that we have reached this agreement and look forward to Chris continuing his great work with us over the next four years.”
The Cats need to defeat lowly Gold Coast at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday to secure a top-eight berth.
CHRIS SCOTT’S COACHING RECORD AT GEELONG
* Premierships: 1 (2011)
* Games coached: 188
* Wins: 130
* Losses: 56
* Draws: 2
* Winning percentage: 69.7%
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Desrerved an extension but 4 years is a very long time - even Clarko doesn't get 4 year deals and we know who's the better coach, yeah?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Alphingtonian might be best advised to find another club.
reuster75
Guest
His current contract was due to expire at the end of 2019. The club has decided that as things stand there's still a lot of work to do in terms of transitioning/rebuilding the list (which Chris Scott himself has said publicly) so he has been given a 3 year contract extension. Over the next few years we'll have to transition away from Joel Selwood, Harry Taylor & Gary Ablett who are champions of the club. We also have to move out a lot of deadwood in the middle age bracket of the list and replenish through the draft or maybe free agency if we get lucky. So a four year period seems about right for that process after which things can be reassessed again. Whilst I have been critical of Scott at times one thing I have always appreciated about him is his willingness to continually renew the side with young players and so I have faith he will continue to do a great job over the nest few years.
Wise Old Elf
Guest
Why the hell would you resign this guy? Does he have pictures of the president in a compromising position or something? Geelong is just plain dumb.
Cat
Roar Guru
More manure.
PeteB
Guest
Not convinced he’s the best coach out there but they could do a hell of a lot worse.
User
Roar Rookie
Good move, good coach, get in before st Kilda, Carlton and Freo start circling.
anon
Roar Pro
Chris Scott 6x April premier.
Cat
Roar Guru
Good job at avoiding the questions and throwing more manure in the mix.
anon
Roar Pro
It's not a bad midfield. 9 games at Kardinia Park. Should win 8 of them. Only need to split the rest to make the 4.
Cat
Roar Guru
Wait, so Geelong are a 'midtable' team that is once again playing finals, but that is underachieving? Doesn't make any sense. I find it funny how you people continually say Geelong overachieves regarding ladder position but yet you expect them to run the gauntlet come finals. Which is it? Easy to criticise when you have no skin in the game (and no clue).
Cat
Roar Guru
I don't think Scott is perfect but who realistically would be better? There might be an untried assistant out there that could turn out better, but they could also turn out to be the next failure. I do think the assistants around him are more important. Having Scarlo back has paid massive dividends already.
Cat
Roar Guru
It is a 3 year extension, plus the year he had remaining on his existing contract for a total of 4 years.
anon
Roar Pro
You need coaches on a shorter leash. 4 years is ridiculous for a guy that is 3/11 in finals since winning the 2011 Grand Final. He's coaching a midtable team that's probably underachieved this year. Easy to sign people up on big deal when you're not spending your own money.
JamesH
Roar Guru
No issue with him being re-signed, but why four years? What was wrong with a 2-3 year extension? Nobody enters senior coaching with an expectation of job security and it's hard to see Scott leaving the club if he was being offered three. Unless someone is chasing Scott to coach at another club - and he doesn't seem like the type to just jump ship without warning anyway - then all a 4-year contract does ensure a hefty payout if the Cats somehow have a poor couple of seasons and decide they want a fresh start. I don't think that will happen, but it's not so unlikely as to be a non-factor.
Blake Standfield
Roar Guru
A premiership.
Cat
Roar Guru
Any team that makes finals and doesn't play in the GF is going to have a losing finals record. I'd rather be playing them, having a crack and losing than embarking on a 3 year restump/rejig/replump that turns into a 6 year rebuild that extends into 10 years.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Great appointment. Well done to my boys.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I like the way Geelong does business. Just make their decision and to hell with the knockers. Scott clearly knows what he is doing and is a competent capable individual to have at the helm and has the support of the players - why risk changing things now I don’t buy this notion at all that coaching Geelong is just money for jam. No coaching role is an easy role
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
The more finals you make the more you have potential to lose I guess. I was a critic of Scott too but this year he has just rejigged again, played 15 debutants over the past two years and despite the toughest draw made finals again while rebuilding. They also have the most potential in the bottom half of the eight to go the whole way and are the scariest opponent for Richmond.