Chev Walker will become Rohan Smith's new assistant coach at Leeds Rhinos for the 2023 season. Rugby League Live understands Walker has been promoted to the role and will be Smith's right-hand man ahead of the new campaign.
Walker, who spent eight years at the Rhinos during his playing days, has earned the promotion fresh off the back of guiding Leeds Rhinos' academy side to Grand Final success at the weekend. He is a known ally of Smith's, having worked with him during the Australian's spell at Bradford Bulls.
Walker had hung up the boots by then but remained at Odsal and acted as Smith's assistant coach at the Bulls, where the pair struck up a good relationship. 39-year-old Walker was one of the first advocates for Smith following Richard Agar's resignation, taking to social media to back him.
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He tweeted at the time: "[I] was lucky enough to coach under him at the Bulls and what he did to the mindsets of the lads and me in such a short period was unreal."
Walker will replace Sean Long who confirmed to Leeds Live earlier this month that he would be leaving the club at the end of the current campaign. It remains to be seen how the club intends to replace Walker, whose role also saw him in charge of reserve grade matters.
Walker made 200 appearances for Leeds before crossing codes to play for Bath. He returned to the 12-man game with Hull Kingston Rovers before ending his career at Bradford.
Now back in the coaching ranks, he is likely to be joined by another assistant, with Jamie Jones-Buchanan also leaving his assistant role to take up a position as the club's head of culture, diversity and inclusivity.
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