Stiles confirmed as Reds coach
Super Rugby side Queensland Reds have named Nick Stiles as their coach for the next two seasons.
Former Australia prop Nick Stiles has been appointed coach of Super Rugby outfit Queensland Reds for the next two seasons.
The former Wallaby, who also played for Reds, was previously an interim co-coach, along with Matt O'Connor.
O'Connor has been released to pursue other head coaching options.
Stiles, who is into his 11th season as a coach, was delighted to be given the opportunity by the Queensland Rugby Union (QRU).
"I'm incredibly proud and honoured to get the opportunity to lead the Reds into the future. Ballymore is like a second home to me," he said.
"We've got an exciting group of players with a lot of potential and some great staff and we are all highly motivated to return the Reds to success.
"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."
Reds missed the play-offs this season after an awful campaign that included just three wins from 15 games.
QRU executive general manager of the Reds Daniel Herbert was thrilled with the appointment of Stiles.
"The panel and board considered a number of strong candidates and ultimately determined Nick to have the right attributes to take this group forward," he said.
"He is a passionate Queenslander who understands the DNA of Queensland rugby. He is an experienced coach who has proven to be technically astute and has a strong record of developing players both young and old. Nick is a good leader, who has turned the Reds set-pieces into one of the more statistically dominant in Super Rugby.
"He has the strong support of the playing group, many of whom he has identified and developed.
"He has the backing of the Queensland Rugby Union and the Australian Rugby Union, including Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who has committed to working closely with Nick to ensure his ongoing development and success as a head coach."