NFL 2019: Jimmy House stands down as coach of North Heidelberg
Outgoing North Heidelberg coach Jimmy House has opened up on his decision to stand down, saying family is his priority.
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North Heidelberg has started its search for a new senior coach after the sudden resignation of Jimmy House.
The Bulldogs announced on Monday night that House would “be standing down as senior coach effective immediately due to personal reasons”.
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In his first year at Shelley Park, House took the 2017 Division 2 premiers to the Division 1 preliminary final and was named the AFL Victoria Coach of the Year (northern region).
House said family was his priority and thanked the club for the opportunity to coach.
“At the end of the day it is a game, mate, and what people get paid and that sort of stuff, I think it takes away from the focus of the things that are most important to us and that’s family,” House said.
“You forget about what is most important … the impact it has on them and the things that they hear and the environment you bring them into, it’s not easy on them either.
“They’ve all got their breaking points and there is only so much that they can take but people need to realise it’s a game and there are more important things in life.
“I know what I want in life and that’s to be a better partner and hopefully one day a really good dad.
“The negative thoughts and the mental battles that a coach goes through … it’s OK to put your hand up and speak to your mates about it. People will listen and point you in the right direction.”
House has been active over the summer signing a long list of recruits, including Western Bulldogs premiership player Shane Biggs.
He said the decision to step down had weighed on his mind since before Christmas.
“The club initially gave me until the middle of February but I wanted to give them as much notice as possible,” he said.
“I want the club to do extremely well, I’m proud of where the boys are at and what I think they can achieve this year.”
Brent Harvey and Kain O’Brien will take pre-season training until an appointment is made.
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