New Zealand rugby league great Stacey Jones has been promoted to assistant coach of the NZ Warriors' first-grade side after the appointment of Craig Hodges as the club's general manager of football.
Jones fills the spot vacated by Hodges, who steps into the role of general manager that club chief executive Cameron George says was to be introduced in 2023.
But the recent departure of recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan to Redcliffe Dolphins, hastened the club to introduce the role a year earlier than planned.
George says club legend Jones will head to Australia with the squad next year as assistant to Nathan Brown, working alongside Justin Morgan, reuniting the duo that assisted interim coach Todd Peyton in 2020.
Hodges appointment made sense for George who says the general manager role will be responsible for player recruitment.
"Craig has extensive experience across all levels of rugby league from grassroots through to the NRL," says George of Hodges' credentials.
"He will oversee the football operations including NRL recruitment.
"Craig has a number of key attributes which will continue to enhance our football department's progression.
"He understands all levels of footy and has a strong passion for development and pathways, an area we have invested heavily in over the last two years."
George says Jones' inclusion into the coaching group was an easy decision.
"In addition, having Stacey back in the NRL coaching unit is exciting and I know Nathan Brown is looking forward to working with him."
"It's great that we've been able to promote from within and we look forward to the positive contribution both Craig and Stacey will make to the club in their roles."
Hodges joined the Warriors at the start of the 2021 season after serving as an assistant coach and interim coach at the Gold Coast Titans.
Jones played 238 first grade games for the Warriors between 1995--2005, before returning in 2009 when he played a further 23 times.
Jones has been part of the Warriors off-field staff, in various roles since 2013.
