Wayne Bennett refuses to declare Dolphins gig his last, reveals succession plan to be implemented
Wayne Bennett is already 71 and is still more than a year away from leading the Dolphins as coach in their inaugural NRL season.
But the seven-time premiership-winning mentor has refused to declare his Dolphins gig will be the last of his legendary coaching career.
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"Is it fair to say this will be your final gig?" a reporter asked as Bennett was revealed as the Dolphins' coach at a press conference.
The master coach replied in classic Bennett fashion.
"You can't say that, you can't say that," Bennett laughed.
"I'll only be young then."
Wayne Bennett has refused to declare the Dolphins job will be the last of his career. Nine
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Bennett also revealed during the press conference that the club would implement a coaching succession plan.
He recently completed that process at the Rabbitohs, mentoring Jason Demetriou and handing over the reins after South Sydney's grand final defeat to Penrith earlier this month.
Wayne Bennett has crossed to the Dolphins after three years with the Rabbitohs. Getty
"As we've done at South Sydney, it works," Bennett said.
"It's in the best interests of everyone that we move in that direction.
"That's been part of the negotiations and that's the way we're going."
Bennett has coached in 886 top-grade games since receiving his first job ahead of the 1987 season.
He's coached the Raiders, Broncos, Dragons, Knights, Brisbane a second time and the Rabbitohs, in a storied journey on his path to the Dolphins.
