Scott Naylor named as new Oldham coach

Former Bradford centre Scott Naylor has been named as the new head coach of Championship 1 side Oldham.

Naylor, 40, also played for Salford during his career, and scored 60 tries in 159 Super League appearances.

He cut his coaching teeth working under Shaun McRae at the City Reds, and the Australian recommended him to the Roughyeds.

Chairman Chris Hamilton said: “Scott did a lot of coaching at Salford, not only with the under-20s but for a number of years as one of the first-team coaches under Shaun McRae.

“I spoke to Shaun at length and he gave Scott a huge rap.

“He is hungry to get back into rugby league and he has a burning desire to do well. He’s a rugby league man through and through and he has been looking for an opportunity like this for some time.

“He’s driven, committed and determined. Those were the characters that epitomised him as a player and I’m confident he will be no different in his first rugby league appointment as a head coach.”

Naylor, who won two Super League Grand Final rings during his time with the Bulls, succeeds Tony Benson, who was sacked after failing to lead Oldham to promotion.

They will compete in Championship 1 next season alongside Rochdale, the two Welsh clubs, Gateshead, London Skolars and four new clubs, including Hemel, Gloucestershire and Oxford.