Holley and Humphreys given new Ospreys contracts

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/story-12904913-detail/story.html?

THE Ospreys have kept faith with coaches Sean Holley and Jonathan Humphreys by handing the pair new contracts.

A trophyless campaign at the Liberty last term ensured there was no shortage of critics questioning the positions of the men who guided the former Celtic champions.

But the Ospreys hierarchy have decided against a shake-up and have instead chosen to hand fresh deals to head coach Holley and his assistant Humphreys.

The region have yet to reveal the length of the contracts.

TV pundit and former Wales skipper Gwyn Jones had called for Holley to be replaced after the Ospreys' 18-11 defeat Magners League semi-final defeat against Munster in Thomond Park, saying: "Sean Holley, they have to say now: 'Thanks for your service but it's time for you to go'."

But Holley indicated shortly after that he didn't expect his tenure to end any day soon. "I'm here to stay — don't you worry about that," he said.

And the Ospreys' management have now stood by their men.

They may have reasoned that they have invested a lot in young Welsh coaches who have delivered trophies at regular intervals, albeit not the big one that is the Heineken Cup.

And Holley (right) and Humphreys could also argue that they have helped develop more players for Wales than coaches at any of the other regions.

Even so, they have also had a top-quality squad at their disposal and in the cut-throat world of professional sport they will be grateful for their bosses remaining steadfast.

The new deals were revealed as part of an announcement on changes to the coaching set-up at the Ospreys next season.

Steve Tandy and Damian Karauna will take up new roles, filling the holes left by the departed Filo Tiatia and Gruff Rees, while Mefin Davies will take his first step on the coaching ladder.

Tandy and Karauna will act as B-group coaches, working with the tier of players below the matchday squad on any given week.

Tandy will combine the role with his ongoing commitment as Bridgend RFC head coach, while Karauna has also been appointed assistant coach to Jason Hyatt at Swansea RFC.

Davies, the senior professional at the Ospreys, will guide the C group of players, working alongside Karauna and Dan Griffiths and helping to advance the progress of youngsters aged 16 to 18.

Chief operations office Andrew Hore said the changes would help promote a seamless progression for young players at the Ospreys.

"Steve, Damian and Mefin are quality young coaches who have a bright future ahead of them.

"They are passionate about both player development and the Ospreys, and they have the characteristics and values that we want from our coaches," added Hore.

"We will give them all the support and assistance they need to make them better coaches, which in turn will lead to us creating better players.

"For us to deliver long-term sustainable success, it is vital that we remain committed to developing young coaches and players."

I think most of us Ospreys fans have calmed down a bit from the end of last season now, but....

WHAT THE F*CK IS CUDDY DOING!
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Better the you know than the you don't - don't believe that Humph has done a bad job though as the scrum was pretty effective last season (LI aside in HC - not a dig an observation), but I fail season after season to see what Hollie brings to the team, and fuirther more, why he was involved in the N America development tour in 2009. Howver, there is a nucleus of young talent available which could be moulded into a very cohesive unit at the Osprey's - I feel sorry for Rhys Webb, Mike Phillips goes and Khan (who is a great player) is signed in his stead - when is he going to get his time to shine? AI's? The farce that is the LV cup? And how come Lloyd Williams got the nod over him for a RWC spot? I know that his coach picked him for the Ba Ba's game, but he's been injured most of the season and played less rugby than Webb. But back to the coaches, players with large ego's gone to pastures new (exception Hook), clean slate and a chance to put their stamp on the squad - might be a good thing.......might be disastorous.......fingers crossed!

Dave Parade, im pretty sure Webb has gone under the knife due to a shoulder injury so that ruled him out of selection otherwise im sure he would of been there or there abouts in the Welsh squad.

I just don't get it. The blues board didn't want to lose young, but the majority of fans thought a change was about due and now ospreys fans don't want these 2 clowns with pinnichio as head coach and the board again don't want to lose them. If I was an ospreys fan I wouldn't be too pleased.

Also forgot to add regarding the news that Holley has a new contract.

I'm not sure what Holley contributes to the team regardless of what his title suggests - who decides the tactic's in the set up?

As a Wales fan I'm not happy that Welsh internationals from the ospreys are still sujected to 'coaching' from these two, as a Scarlets fan though, I'm chuffed.

Gurnards. Yeh. Me too!

Dave Parade wrote:I'm not sure what Holley contributes to the team regardless of what his title suggests - who decides the tactic's in the set up?

Johnson is in overall charge and he coaches the backs.
Holley helps with the backs and coaches defense.
While Humphreys coaches the forwards.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2011/07/08/ospreys-tie-down-coaches-sean-holley-and-jonathan-humphreys-to-new-contracts-91466-29019673/

Edit - merging with the existing topic