Karmichael Hunt wants to be an NRL coach and he says his former coach Wayne Bennett is the template for the type of mentor he wants to become.
The dual-international won the 2006 NRL title under Bennett at the Brisbane Broncos and is now coaching Souths-Logan in the Hostplus (Queensland) Cup competition.
After retiring following a stellar playing career in three codes, representing Australia in league and rugby union, Hunt has now turned his attention to getting to the top as a coach.
"I have always had goals and I think to get to that level as an NRL coach would just be an amazing achievement," Hunt said.
"(Bennett) is the template. Having played under plenty of coaches, you can over-complicate things. What Wayne does really well is simplify things.
"He realises he is coaching a young man, a young man that has got life experiences going on, is pretty talented and wants to get places...and needs a bit of guidance.
"It is just like any parent really. He has got to be stern at times and lenient. He has got to be loving all the time. Wayne does that in his own manner, so that is the template for me."
Hunt was speaking at the announcement of a partnership between Logan City Council and Queensland Rugby League which will result in his Souths Logan Magpies playing home games at Logan Metro Sports Park as well as their spiritual home of Davies Park in West End.
The Magpies take on PNG Hunters this weekend in Logan in the Hostplus (Queensland) Cup in Logan in a huge boost to the city which has produced Queensland stars such as Cameron Smith, Josh Papali'i and Corey Parker.
"At the crux of coaching to me is being able to give back to players who are going to play under me, to impart knowledge to them and help them achieve goals they may not achieve without me," he said.
"That is the passion of my job."
He said it was important for him to learn the craft of coaching at the Queensland Cup level.
"It is a really strong level. Plenty of good coaches have come through this system and there are plenty of good players playing in the system with all the NRL affiliations in place," he said.
"I guess I will find out if I am a good coach or not at this level."
Hunt is enjoying being on the other side of the coaching clipboard.
"As a player you turn up with your boots and get told what time you have to be there and what you've got to do but the coaching aspect has a lot more to it...planning, recruitment and dealing with players' problems outside of footy," he said.
"All of the stuff that I put my coaches through, I am doing it as a coach now."
