Tim Coyle may well return to the Greater Northern Raiders next season, but in what sort of capacity is unknown as a decision over the position of head coach remains vacant.
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The three-time Sheffield Shield-winning mentor for Tasmania was released just last week from his pivotal role behind the Melbourne Renegades women's side.
The impact of coronavirus already took its financial toll, forcing the WBBL club to part ways with its coach after three seasons at the helm.
Coyle had a brief flirtation as the director of coaching of the Raiders, but had to cut his time short during the first season due to full-time commitments at the Docklands.
Raiders chairman Chris Mitchell was tight-lipped on luring the Launceston-raised Coyle back into the fold.
"I know Tim Coyle very well and I also have a lot of respect for Tim," he said.
"So I am very aware of his situation at the moment too, but he hasn't applied for the coaching role.
"But there are discussions still being had over a range of high performance issues for the North of the state."
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Mitchell was at pains to explain the role is uniquely different to most coaching roles, having to satisfy stakeholders all through Cricket North and North West.
The Raiders plan to "make some announcements in the near future" on new changes for the team since Andrew Gower quit two months ago.
But the club is still seeking applications despite formally closing back on April 14.
"We are talking to people still about the right coach that we need for the next two years," Mitchell said.
"I don't necessarily want to make this all about Tim, but I have a very good open dialogue with Tim. It's got to be right for Tim, but it's also got to be right for the Raiders.
"I'm acutely aware of the situation where Tim is at and there has been discussions."
The club's preference is for a playing coach to take extra leadership on the field of an inexperienced side.
"But if it's unlikely we can find that person, we'll need to put in a coach and an assistant coach to fill that role for this year," he said.
"We've been given a bit extra time because we can't start training, but we also want to make sure we get the right person for that role."
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Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
