Western Bulldogs Senior Assistant Coach Steven King will depart the Club to join the coaching panel of the Gold Coast Suns from 2022.
King has been an integral part of the Bulldogs’ coaching staff for the last decade, where he has had responsibilities across multiple areas of the ground, as well as in the coaching strategy and training space.
King and his family are set to make the move north, where he will continue his successful coaching career under Stuart Dew.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to work with an amazing organisation like the Western Bulldogs,” King said.
“The experience of collaborating with a motivated group of players and staff, in such a supportive and close-knit environment, has been extremely rewarding.
“In particular I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with an extremely talented, hard-working and driven midfield group at the Dogs.
“I want to thank everyone at the Bulldogs for their support, guidance and friendship over the last decade, and I wish the Club every success for the future as I embark on a new coaching challenge.”
King arrived at VU Whitten Oval from St Kilda at the end of 2011, after a period as the Saints’ ruck/midfield coach.
He started in the role of the Bulldogs’ midfield/ruck coach in 2012 and took charge of this area during the 2016 premiership season, before taking over the defensive portfolio from 2017-19.
King was elevated to the role of Senior Assistant Coach ahead of the 2019 season.
“Steven has had a profound impact on our program for an extended period, and we thank him wholeheartedly for his contribution to our football club,” said Bulldogs’ Senior Coach, Luke Beveridge.
“His versatility as a coach, his demeanour and rapport with the players and staff, and his tactical nous, have helped us achieve the success we’ve had over the last six years.
“We are disappointed to lose ‘Kingy’, as he explores this next exciting step on his coaching journey. We are fully supportive of the lifestyle choice he and his family has made and will always be here for him.”
As a result of King’s departure, Ash Hansen has been elevated to the role of Senior Assistant Coach.
The Bulldogs will now explore the market to secure a midfield coach for the 2022 season.
