JOFFA Byron will replace Dean Haydock as coach of the Panton Hill Football Club in season 2015.
Haydock, who coached the Hills to their first senior premiership in the NFL last year, notified the Panton Hill executive at the beginning of the 2014 season that he would not continue for a fourth year.
This early decision allow plenty of time for the club to begin the process of finding a new coach for 2015, with the club appointing 2013 premiership player Byron to take the coaching reins next year.
After a successful three-year stint at Cracknell Reserve, Haydock said it was time to have a break from footy and spend more time with his young family.
In a statement released by the club, Panton Hill said Haydock’s legacy at the club would never be forgotten.
“We are saddened that Dean has decided to call it a day but also excited by the position Dean is leaving the club in,” the statement read.
“Dean’s legacy at Panton Hill will be never forgotten. He has helped the club achieve some of its most proud moments in its 107-year history.
“Dean should be extremely proud of his time at the Hill and what he has achieved.”
Haydock’s decorated history as a player at Heidelberg Football Club speaks for itself, but he has continued his success at a higher level in his senior coaching role at Panton Hill.
He came to the club with a goal of winning a premiership and then to win at least five games in Division 2.
He has achieved his objective in coaching Panton Hill to its first Grand Final appearance since 1970 in his first year, its first premiership in 57 years in his second year and, at this stage of the season, the senior team has won five games in second division.
In his first stint as a senior coach Haydock has achieved amazing results with 34 wins from 48 games, with only five losses in his first two years.
Whilst he will be spending more time with his family, Haydock said he will continue to support Panton Hill in any way he can and be involved in the future of the club.
It will be Byron’s second stint as coach of the Redbacks, after taking over in a caretaker capacity midway through 2011.
“Joffa came as a player to Panton Hill in 2011 and has taken a senior leadership role at the club in 2011, 12 and premiership side in 2013,” the club statement said.
“Joffa, a self-confessed footy tragic, has had a year off as a player this year to spend time learning as much as he can about the role of coaching football which is where he wants to spend the next phase of his life in footy.
“After recent discussions with Joffa, we are excited to have him on board as our senior coach and although he has big boots to fill in replacing Docca, we are very confident he is up to the task of building success for our club in second division over the next few years.”
Byron will be supported by former Panton Hill premiership player Tristan Kreymborg as assistant coach.
