Coyle to quit as Tasmania's coach

Tasmania's coach, Tim Coyle, will step down at the end of this season, ending a highly-successful seven-year tenure. Coyle took charge of the Tigers in 2005 after the departure of the previous coach Brian McFadyen and in 2006-07 delivered the state's first Pura Cup/Sheffield Shield title when they beat New South Wales in the final in Hobart.

Another Sheffield Shield title followed in 2010-11, and Coyle was also at the helm when Tasmania won the one-day competition in 2007-08 and 2009-10. Coyle, 52, said he felt that with his contract expiring at the end of this summer it was a good time for Tasmania to move on under a new mentor.

"I feel that the time is right for the Tigers to have a new voice and for me to finish up as head coach," Coyle said. "It's been a fantastic ride, and once the season finishes it is time for me to have some time away from the game and spend some more time with my family and friends."

Tony Harrison, the chairman of Cricket Tasmania, said Coyle's outstanding record spoke for itself and he had been a fine servant of Tasmanian cricket.

"Tim is passionate about what he believes in and much of that passion is for Cricket Tasmania, his teams and cricket in Tasmania, however we understand the time is now right for him to spend more time with his family and have a break," Harrison said. "Tim has nurtured many talented Tasmanian and interstate player from the junior ranks through to national representation and can be justifiably proud of these achievements along with the sustained success of the Tasmanian Tigers.

"Without doubt, Tim Coyle is the most successful current coach in Australian cricket and his contribution to our Association, State and players cannot be over-estimated. The current strength of Tasmanian cricket owes much to Tim Coyle and the culture he has developed and fostered, and we will do all we can to ensure that he remains part of our structure in the future."

Cricket Tasmania will spend the next few months searching for Coyle's replacement.