WTF is going on at Bath?

[Which Tyler]

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/sport/ot ... th-2051866

Key points:
Blackadder is contracted through until June 2020, with an option for an extra year if both agree it's necessary.
Hooper will take over at that point as "head of the rugby department" (he's currently "general manager").
Booth and Edwards won't get a renewal, with their contracts up this June.
Bath to hunt 2 replacements, one "senior" and one "junior".
Official pathways for academy coaches to graduate to senior.
Clubs wants to be more "home grown" both players and coaching staff - with a target of 50% by 2022/23.
Looks like each staffing role on the rugby side is to have both a senior and a junior occupant.


TBH, I mostly approve (assuming that what Hoop.s is doing behind the scenes is good enough - and that he'd be a proper, hands-off DoR rather than figurehead head coach - Deano, not Jonno.
However, there's absolutely no need to tell the supporters this - in fact, the only reason I can think of to do so would be if someone was going to leak it and they felt the need to get out ahead of the news...

[Tigersman]

Doesn't make much sense IMO.
Sort of saying they have stability in knowing who is coming and going but at the same time they are looking for at least 2 coaches next season and 1 the year after.
Wonder if Rowntree might be on the list after RWC?

The 50% target in 4 years is pretty stupid not like Bath have a lot of players going into coaching (And even fewer ones they still have a relationship with) why not just let it happen organically?

It sounds like Bath want senior coaches to train junior ex bath player coaches to eventually replace them not sure how many top coaches would want that knowing it could be a limited time coaching gig.

[Tigersman]

Also who gets the London Irish players once Booth goes?

[Which Tyler]

The 50% target in 4 years is pretty stupid not like Bath have a lot of players going into coaching (And even fewer ones they still have a relationship with) why not just let it happen organically?

the 50% homegrown by 2022/23 is for players, not coaches. I suspect the aim i to get there with coaches as well, but who'll be any good at it is even harder to predict than who'll make senior from the aademy. It also takes much longer to train a coach

[Tigersman]

The 50% target in 4 years is pretty stupid not like Bath have a lot of players going into coaching (And even fewer ones they still have a relationship with) why not just let it happen organically?

the 50% homegrown by 2022/23 is for players, not coaches. I suspect the aim i to get there with coaches as well, but who'll be any good at it is even harder to predict than who'll make senior from the aademy. It also takes much longer to train a coach

50% homegrown players in 4 years.
That's ambiguous unless he lowers the standards.
Not like Bath have a top notch academy currently that will take time to develop. (Not saying bath don't have any decent U18's coming through just it isn't on par with say Sarries etc.)

Wonder if this is Craig's way of trying to lower a potential upset of loss of players? and maybe to try and shift the focus from now to long term.

[fivepointer]

Bold to aim for more home grown coaches and players. I like it, though. I'm impressed by Hooper but that would be quite a promotion.
Do Bath have anyone in the wings likely to take on a senior coaching role any time soon?

[Raggs]

Could it be clever wording? Not 50% of the senior squad, but 50% of the intake?

[Digby]

Are Bath sticking with a 242?

And what will drive squad planning more, the 242 or homegrown players?

I don't know whether it's sensible or not when Bath are yet to deliver on one management plan before adding in this extra complexity

[Peej]

If Booth is going I wonder if he would be a good fit at Wasps?

[Mellsblue]

It will certainly be a tight fit with him and Young.

[Digby]

It will certainly be a tight fit with him and Young.

If they could add a Kingston or Richards we'd be getting somewhere

[Which Tyler]

It will certainly be a tight fit with him and Young.

If they could add a Kingston or Richards we'd be getting somewhere

So long as it didn't need an elevator... Or stairs

Could it be clever wording? Not 50% of the senior squad, but 50% of the intake?

I was thinking we might do an Exeter, and count the academy as part of the senior squad.
More likely it's just a very soft target, more like 50%±20