Change in Head Coach at Exeter Chiefs

Exeter Rugby Club can confirm that there has been an update to the structure of the Chiefs coaching staff which has come into place with immediate effect.

Ali Hepher will step back from his duties as Head Coach but remain to oversee the backs and attack strategy until the end of the season with Rob Hunter taking over as Head Coach.

At the end of the season, the club will bring in a new attack and backs coach and Ali Hepher will move into a transition coach role with responsibilities for coaching and managing the club’s senior academy players who will be transitioning into the senior squad as well as working with our talent identified younger players.

“I would like to thank Ali for his incredible hard work and dedication to the team and club over the last 16 years,” Director of Rugby Rob Baxter said.

“We have experienced some lows and enjoyed some incredible highs together and he has been a key part of the successes this club has had. I know he is now really looking forward to a return to development coaching with our best young players to ensure we get the very best out of our talent pool.

“I feel now, coming out of the Premiership Rugby Cup period, is the right time for us to start the process of heading in a different direction with elements of our game next season. I feel a new attack coach with different ideas and practices will help us move in the right direction as we stive to return to the top levels of the domestic and European game.

“This is also a huge opportunity for Rob Hunter to organise and run the programme, he has a great appetite for the game and the challenges ahead. I feel a fresh burst of ideas and energy, alongside the increased responsibilities he will have, will bring out the best in him and prove successful for the club.”

Ross McMillan [Assistant Forwards coach], Haydn Thomas [Attack and Kick Battle coach] and Ricky Pellow [Skills and Development coach] will all continue in their current roles.

Tony Rowe CBE, CEO and Chairman of the club, welcomes Rob Baxter’s decision to update the structure of the coaching staff and will give the coaches his full support in moving the club forward.