New Napier Technical premier rugby coach Asa Ene admitted it was a tough decision to leave his assistant's role at Napier Old Boys Marist.
"It was tempting to stay there for another season because Craig [Gowler] has done a lot of good work and they are going to be the team to beat again next year. But opportunities to take on a head coach role don't come around often and this one will give me an opportunity to challenge myself a bit more," Ene said.
A former Tech and NOBM premier player, Ene, 34, will have former Chiefs and Magpies prop David Briggs as his assistant with the Texans. They replace long-time co-coaches Steve Lloyd and Steve Woods.
While he would be thrilled if the Whitmore Park-based Tech team can improve on this year's semifinal finish in the Maddison Trophy competition, Ene said his main goal next year will be to introduce a winning culture.
"You get that right and everything else will fall into place. My biggest learning at NOBM was the mental side of things ... they are three or four levels above anyone else in that department."