Neil Fowkes will become head coach of Nottingham Rugby at the end of the season, the club have announced.
Fowkes, the current first team coach, will step up to the role following the departure of Ian Costello to a senior coaching job at Premiership side Wasps.
Fowkes, 37, has been part of the club both as a player and a coach, since 1987.
After moving through the side’s junior ranks he made 210 first team appearances at loose head prop between 1999 and 2011.
He was also part of the Green and Whites squad which achieved promotion to National Division One, now known as the Championship, during the 2003/04 season.
After retiring as a player, Fowkes moved straight into coaching at the club.
“It’s an absolute privilege to have been selected to do the job at Nottingham,” he said.
“It’s a club that’s so close to my heart and I’m very proud to have got that across the line.
“First and foremost, my job here is to support the current head coach Ian Costello as much as possible and we’re focusing on London Scottish this weekend, and the Championship, and the remaining B&I Cup games.
“Obviously, with a change of coach, there’s a slight change of style in terms of personality but we’re very closely aligned at the club and we just want to make sure the continuity is there and were still moving in the same upward trajectory.”
Club Chairman Alistair Bow said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Neil has accepted the role as Nottingham’s next head coach. He is the natural choice to continue to build on the great work that has been taking place here over the last few years.
“Over the last 12 years he has developed into a first-class coach and we strongly believe the time is right for him to take the lead role. His passion and commitment to the club cannot be rivalled.”
Currently in fifth place in the Greene King IPA Championship, Nottingham will be looking to make it five home league games unbeaten when they host London Scottish, at The Bay, on Friday night (7:45pm kick-off).
