New Geelong assistant coach Steven King says moving back to Kardinia Park was a ‘no brainer’ as the aspiring senior coach settles into his new role under Chris Scott.
King signed as an assistant in October, shortly after finishing up his stint as interim senior coach at Gold Coast, following the sacking of Stuart Dew.
The 2007 Premiership player said a congratulatory text from former teammate and Cats Football Manager Andrew Mackie started the conversation to get him back to the Cattery.
“I got a text message (from Mackie) just saying ‘congratulations, doing a great job’ when I was interim coach at Gold Coast, that was pretty much a seed but nothing had really gone ahead until pretty late in the piece,” King said.
“I think just the opportunity, probably that drive of coaching my own team as well I thought this might be an opportunity to come down, learn under Chris (Scott) as well and some really good people.
“I really admire what the club’s done for the last 15-16 years, to do what they’ve done continually.
“I just thought it would be a really good spot for me to land both personally and professionally.”
King said while he’s in no rush to land a senior coaching gig, he said he hopes joining Geelong can help him get there at some point.
“Even my first three or four weeks here I’ve been just trying to absorb everything that these guys do and how they coach and set the ground up and how they deal with their players and the environment they’ve created here for everyone.
“It’s something that’s been I think really special for me to sit back and look at and add to what I believe in as a coach and a person as well.
“I guess I’d love to (be a senior coach) at one point but I’m single-focused on that having to be my outcome I just love to be a part of a really good organisation and that’s we’re I’m lucky to have landed here.”
King was part of the Western Bulldogs coaching staff for 10 seasons which included the 2016 Premiership and 2021 Grand Final.
The former ruckman played 240 AFL games across a 15-year playing career at both the Cats and St Kilda and captained the Cats from 2003-06.
