Rob Baxter says 'the time was right' as Exeter make head coach change

Exeter's hugely disappointing Gallagher Premiership and Investec Champions Cup campaign, followed by their heavy defeat to Bath in the Premiership Rugby Cup final last Sunday, has resulted in Ali Hepher losing his job as head coach with immediate effect.

Forwards coach Rob Hunter will step up to fill the role, while Hepher remains on board to oversee the backs and attack strategy until the end of the season when the Chiefs will look to appoint someone new to the role. Hepher will then switch to a transition coach role, coaching and managing the club’s senior academy players who will be transitioning into the senior squad as well as working with our talent-identified younger players.

"I would like to thank Ali for his incredible hard work and dedication to the team and club over the last 16 years,” Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter said.

“We have experienced some lows and enjoyed some incredible highs together and he has been a key part of the successes this club has had. I know he is now really looking forward to a return to development coaching with our best young players to ensure we get the very best out of our talent pool.

“I feel now, coming out of the Premiership Rugby Cup period, is the right time for us to start the process of heading in a different direction with elements of our game next season. I feel a new attack coach with different ideas and practices will help us move in the right direction as we strive to return to the top levels of the domestic and European game.

“This is also a huge opportunity for Rob Hunter to organise and run the programme, he has a great appetite for the game and the challenges ahead. I feel a fresh burst of ideas and energy, alongside the increased responsibilities he will have, will bring out the best in him and prove successful for the club.”

Exeter are currently ninth in the Gallagher Premiership, having won just two of their 11 games, and were whitewashed in the pool stages of Europe.

Ross McMillan (assistant forwards coach), Haydn Thomas (attack and kick battle coach) and Ricky Pellow (skills and development coach) will all continue in their current roles, the club said in a statement.