Guy McKenna appointed first coach of Gold Coast

[Hondo]

From Adelaide Now http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/sport/afl/story/0,26547,24174540-5016212,00.html

COLLINGWOOD assistant coach Guy McKenna has been appointed the inaugural coach of the Gold Coast's AFL franchise. The announcement should put an end to the mad scramble by AFL clubs to sign their coaches to longer-term contracts.

The Gold Coast franchise, GC17, today announced McKenna had signed a two-year deal to coach the side in the Victorian under-18 competition next year and then in the VFL in 2010.

Gold Coast will enter as the 17th team in the AFL in 2011 and McKenna was confident he could earn another contract after his first two seasons in charge.

McKenna, 39, beat a field of six candidates, and is expected to see out his contract at the Magpies - who are vying for a place in the finals - before starting on the Gold Coast.

McKenna played 267 games for West Coast from 1988-2000 and served as an assistant coach at the Eagles before he coached Claremont in the WAFL for a season in the WAFL.

He joined Collingwood in 2004.

[Dog_ger]

Lets all wish him the "Very Best".

It will be a very tough job.

I wonder how they will measure success..?

Maybe not as "Hard as we Think?"

The AFL cannot allow this to be a Failure

[Dutchy]

He always impressed as having a higher IQ than most footballers...probably a good choice

[Punk Rooster]

1st Laidley, now McKenna... the AFL owes us....

[Sojourner]

Good luck to him! Will be interesting to see how they go!

[GWW]

Always admired McKenna, probably the best small defender i've ever seen play the game. He's obviously a thinker of the game, i think its a fairly wise appointment.

[Rik E Boy]

1st Laidley, now McKenna... the AFL owes us....

Pfft. Are they arranging next year's fixture already?

regards,

REB