Cox stays as Eagles ruck coach
West Coast club games record holder Dean Cox will stay at the Eagles next year as the team's ruck coach.
The club confirmed this afternoon that 33-year-old Cox had officially agreed to join their coaching staff.
The decision will extend the six-times All-Australian's long association with West Coast, having played 290 matches for the club over 14 seasons before retiring at the end of this year.
Cox last month hinted he would be willing to move interstate to expand his coaching horizons if the offer from the Eagles was not the best fit.
But the 2006 premiership ruckmen instead completed negotiations with West Coast yesterday, with the opportunity to work alongside a relatively new coaching group led by former North Melbourne captain Adam Simpson.
Eagles football manager Craig Vozzo said Cox would continue to mentor Nic Naitanui, Scott Lycett and Callum Sinclair.
"He has some specialist skills which he can further develop in his permanent capacity as ruck coach," Vozzo said.
"Not only that, but he will also offer further expertise and advice as our young ruckmen continue to evolve.
"Dean identified a couple of years ago that he would like to move down the coaching career path. He took the first steps in that role this season by combining a coaching role while still playing and we believe he has some terrific knowledge to share."
Cox will also spend time in a marketing role with the Eagles, although details of those responsibilities are yet to be confirmed.
