Exeter Chiefs announce surprise return of axed coach as new role confirmed
Exeter Chiefs coach Ali Hepher watching his side warm up in the 2024/25 season
Exeter Chiefs have announced the return of former head coach Ali Hepher, with him taking up a new post within the club’s academy.
Hepher initially joined the Exeter coaching ranks in 2009, serving as Rob Baxter’s assistant until stepping up as head coach in 2017, with Baxter moving up to director of rugby. He later stepped back as head coach part-way through last season, with Rob Hunter taking charge, but the pair were later suspended in the aftermath of the 79-17 defeat to Gloucester at Kingsholm, and later left by ‘mutual consent’.
Upon stepping back last season, it was confirmed he would take up a post within the club’s academy; however, following his departure from Sandy Park last year, the club announced he was set to take a break from the sport to spend more time with his family.
That break did not last long, it seems, with Hepher now primed to return to Sandy Park to take up an academy performance coach role within the club’s development pathway.
‘We want them to get attention in all the key fundamentals of how to play’
Commenting on the news, Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “Personally, I’m really pleased to have Ali on board in this new role, which encompasses him working on the coaching and skills development of our young players from aged 16 onwards.
“Ali will also have input on the talent identification for our pre-16 academy cohort. He’ll work alongside our academy coaches to ensure the development of those players through our system and create a smooth transition for them into our senior set-up.
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“It’s a role I am very keen for Ali to take up this season. I think it allows us to get some top-quality, very experienced coaching into our academy group, both for coach education and to keep a close eye on our best young players coming through.
“We want them to get attention in all the key fundamentals of how to play. Not just the skills of how to catch, pass and tackle, but that ability to read the game and decipher how things are going to unfold.
“Also, it’s about ensuring they know how to be a professional rugby player from a very young age, to understand the standards you must set and the challenges you’re going to face.
“I think this is a very positive step for us in terms of developing Exeter players for the future.”
Exeter Chairman and chief executive, Tony Rowe CBE, added: “Ali was a vital part of our coaching team in a prolonged period of success for the club. Having spoken to Rob, I felt this role was key to the future advancement of our squad, and the experience that Ali would bring is considerable. So, I am glad to welcome him back to Chiefs, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact he has on our player pathway.”
READ MORE: Exeter Chiefs star: ‘This season is about regaining respect within this league.’