The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have announced Dean Pay as the new head coach of the club for the next two seasons.
Pay has a strong connection with the Bulldogs, having played 108 games for the club between 1989-1995, including being part of the 1995 premiership-winning side.
He also had a strong representative career, playing for New South Wales in 12 State of Origin matches, in addition to nine Test matches for Australia.
Pay's coaching background is just as impressive.
Having been assistant coach under Kevin Walters at the Catalans Dragons in 2009, he was then under-20s coach with the Storm under Craig Bellamy between 2010-12, followed by assistant coaching roles at Parramatta (2013) and Canberra (2014-present).
Pay's representative coaching record with the New South Wales State of Origin under-20s is exemplary, having won all five series that he coached in between 2012-16.
Bulldogs chairman Ray Dib was delighted with the appointment.
"We are extremely happy to have been able to secure the services of Dean Pay for the next two seasons," Dib said.
"Dean is a Bulldogs man through and through and someone who totally understands the history and tradition of the club.
"He was an outstanding player with the club and has carried that over into his coaching career, where he has worked under some excellent coaches, as well as showing that he can lead from the front with his superb record with the NSW under-20s side. We want to bring back the Bulldogs culture of old and feel strongly that Dean is the man to do this."
Pay was excited at what lies ahead.
"It's a tremendous honour to be offered the head coach's role at a club that I loved playing for," Pay said.
"Having learnt under some great coaches I now believe that the time is right for me to step up into the head coach's role.
"The Bulldogs have a great history and tradition and I'm looking forward to the chance to work with a talented group of players, where respect and discipline will be the cornerstones of how we go about our business. The club has great foundations, facilities, staff and an incredible fan base. It is important that we work hard to make our supporters proud."
