John Kear has been appointed as the new head coach of Co-operative Championship club Batley after leaving Wakefield last week.
Former England coach takes over from Karl Harrison
John Kear has been appointed as the new head coach of Co-operative Championship club Batley after leaving Wakefield last week.
The 56-year-old replaces Karl Harrison after the ex-Great Britain prop joined Championship rivals Halifax and he is very happy with his new job.
"I was very flattered by the offer," Kear said.
"It's a club that has progressed markedly in the last couple of years under Karl's tutelage and I'm looking forward to the challenge of trying to raise the bar even higher."
Kear has been involved throughout the 16 seasons of Super League but he now drops down a level and will work part time with the Bulldogs and operate without a contract.
"It's a different challenge and that appeals to me," said Kear, who will combine coaching with his work in the media.
"It's taken me out of my comfort zone. I'm used to the luxury of full-time athletes at my beck and call.
"It's really refreshing and it will allow me to pursue other interests during the day."
Press conference
Kear was unveiled at a press conference on Wednesday - the first to be held since the current board took over in 1997 - and he is the only fifth coach during that time.
"That indicates the importance we place on this announcement," said Bulldogs chairman Kevin Nicholas.
"Karl was fantastic for this club but he said from the outset that if his former club Halifax came in for him he would more than likely go and Halifax have acted with integrity throughout.
"Without advertising, we received applications from four quality coaches - we've never had people queuing up to be coach before - but, once John became available, it had to be him.
"There is nobody with more experience. He is a genuine person and he's got passion for the sport."
One of Kear's first matches in charge will be against Wakefield in a pre-season friendly arranged as part of the deal that took half-back Gareth Moore from Batley to the Wildcats earlier this year.
