After his first foray into head coaching ended, Jason Taylor lost the spark and was not sure if it was for him. Trent Robinson helped him get it back.
As revealed by Fairfax Media on Wednesday, Taylor signed a three-year deal to replace Mick Potter at Wests Tigers, his first top job since 2009. The former Magpies, Bears, Northern Eagles and Eels No.7 beat fellow interviewees Anthony Griffin, Nathan Brown, David Kidwell and Todd Payten to the post.
After being sacked by South Sydney, Taylor doubted whether he ever wanted to pick up a clipboard again as a head coach. However, working under premiership-winning Roosters coach Robinson changed all that.
"There was a point there where I lost a bit of passion for getting back into that role," Taylor said.
"I never lost it completely, but it diminished for a bit. But being with Trent over the last couple of years has reignited my absolute love of the game and love of coaching. He's been a pleasure to work with, I learnt a lot off him and I'm really looking forward to getting back into it as a head coach.
"The Roosters have been amazing in relation to their support, Trent in particular. We lost Paul Green from our coaching staff last year but that's part of it. It says a lot about Trent when guys around him are offered these positions."
Asked whether he was looking forward to facing the tri-colours, Taylor said: "Not really, because I know how tough they work and are to beat."
Taylor came so close to taking the top job at Parramatta last year that the Eels filmed a video in which he spoke about returning to the club where he had previously coached and played. He described the Tigers as a "completely different" process and believed the professionalism the joint-venture outfit has displayed augured well.
"I'm excited by what the future holds because of the approach of the board members and how it has flowed," he said.
"Everything that's been talked about has been followed up on. It's early days but I'm heartened by the relationship I can build with Grant [Mayer, CEO] and the board. Working with [head of football] Phil Moss before is a real bonus. We've got a relationship and I know what a great operator he is. He's going to make my job so much easier."
A former representative halfback himself, Taylor said a big part of the job's appeal was working with outstanding young halves Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses.
"It's a big part of why I was really keen about this opportunity," Taylor said. "I love working with young players and have had some success with that. You don't need me to tell you how exciting and talented those halves are, I can't wait.
"The strengths are clear with those talented young guys and seasoned professionals, but it's about getting the team to play to its potential, which has been a struggle. That's what I'll be working towards."
Taylor has roots with one side of the joint-venture, having represented the Magpies on 86 occasions during an illustrious playing career.
"I was a Wests junior, made my debut for the Magpies and played four seasons there," he said. "It was hard to leave when I did and that meant something to me, although I understand that certainly wasn't a factor in me getting the job."
While he didn't want to make any bold predictions about where the club would finish next season, he saw the Tigers as a team on the rise.
"I'm really excited, it's a big challenge but I feel I'm well and truly ready for it," he said.
"Everyone can see the potential the Tigers have in terms of the talented youngsters on their roster and some high-quality, established players. I'm really looking forward to working with them. I'll look at the roster in terms of where we think we can get to but there won't be any rash predictions where we'll finish."
Panthers boss Phil Gould said Moss "made an outstanding contribution to the rebuilding of Penrith over the past three years. He leaves big shoes to be filled and will be sorely missed. We congratulate him on his appointment and wish him all the best with the Wests Tigers. They have secured a good man."
