Assistant Cooks In Charge

Illawarra Mercury

Monday January 1, 2007

By MIKE DRISCOLL

FORMER assistant coach and team manager Eric Cooks has been given the job of replacing sacked Hawks coach Brendan Joyce for the rest of the season.

Signed by Joyce as a player in 1997, Cooks moved into an assistant coach/manager role upon his retirement in 2000, with the pair sharing in Wollongong's maiden championship in 2001.

In a press release issued on Saturday night, less than 24 hours before last night's 105-100 loss to the South Dragons, Hawks management also confirmed former championship-winning player Bruce Bolden as Cooks' new assistant coach.

While Cooks and Bolden would run the club for the rest of the season, it is clear Hawks management is keeping its options open for a long-term replacement for Joyce, sacked last Thursday after 12 seasons in charge.

After issuing Joyce with a 14-day breach notice alleging unacceptable behaviour by the coach, Hawks management was not satisfied with Joyce's response and terminated his contract.

While Cooks has been a long-time lieutenant to Joyce he had not held a full training session in his new role of head coach before last night's clash with Shane Heal's Dragons.

A modest, quietly spoken man, Cooks is a popular figure at the Hawks and well respected around the league.

Cooks was pleased to be given an opportunity to take over as head coach.

"I am very grateful the Hawks have provided me with an opportunity to be head coach and I am keen to move forward and get back to winning games," he said.

"Our team is a great bunch of guys and I know the days and weeks ahead will be important ones as we head into the final weeks of the season.

"Our plan is to improve on our current position and work towards making the play-offs."

Bolden is excited about his new role.

"Like Eric, basketball is my passion," he said.

"Add to that our combined experience of having each played under Brian Goorjian and other successful coaches and I am sure we will bring a fresh approach to the Hawks."

Hawks acting chairman Bob Elvy said the new coaching team would bring a "fresh approach" to their roles.

"As a club we are focused on moving forward," he said.

"We congratulate Eric and Bruce on their appointments and encourage our fans, sponsors and supporters to give the new coaching staff and the team their full support."

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

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