Burleigh CEO Damian Driscoll opens up about Jim Lenihan’s exit & potential coaching replacements

BURLEIGH chief executive Damian Driscoll says the club won’t be rushed into appointing a replacement for outgoing coach Jim Lenihan, while also revealing one name he won’t rule out.

BURLEIGH chief executive Damian Driscoll says the club won’t be rushed into appointing a replacement for premiership-winning coach Jim Lenihan following his departure to the Gold Coast Titans.

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Barely a week after Lenihan sealed a second Intrust Super Cup title with Burleigh, a gaping hole was yesterday blown in the Bears’ plans for back-to-back crowns in 2020 as the Titans unveiled the 46-year-old as an assistant to incoming coach Justin Holbrook.

However, Driscoll said he would not be pushing the panic button as the club searches for the man to fill Lenihan’s sizeable shoes.

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“We certainly won’t rush into it,” Driscoll, who will meet with the club board on Thursday night, said.

“(Jim) has left the place in an extremely healthy position. It’s one of the most successful years for the club on record so the person that comes in will be ready.

“It’s all happened reasonably quickly - the players weren’t told until (Monday) – so it’s in the early stages of finding Jim’s replacement. It could take days, it could take weeks.

Burleigh chief executive Damian Driscoll. Picture: Richard Gosling

“Jim is no different to any player, you’re always disappointed to lose them because they’re quality people but you’re happy for them to be acknowledged for what they’ve done. It’s a good fit for the Titans.

“We don’t have anyone in mind (as a replacement) at this stage but we certainly know the type of person we want.”

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Among the candidates is likely to be Matt Foster, who served as an assistant to Lenihan in 2017-18 before guiding the Bears to this year’s Rugby League Gold Coast A grade premiership.

The 43-year-old last month told the Bulletin he was content to keep the status quo next season, but news of Lenihan’s exit may shift the landscape.

Outgoing Burleigh coach Jim Lenihan. Picture: AAPimage/David Clark

“I’m happy in the job that I do right now,” he said at the time.

“As far as coaching higher, you never say never but at this moment in time I enjoy coaching where I’m at. If Jimmy was to move up to NRL, then obviously you’d consider that kind of thing but I love working with Jimmy and everyone here so I’m happy at the moment.”

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Driscoll said the club would look inside and outside the club for the new coach.

“We haven’t ruled anyone out. I will be having the A grade season review with Matt (tonight) and I have no doubt there will be that conversation (about the ISC role). You certainly wouldn’t rule it out,” he said.