Knights back as Cats' VFL coach
Matthew Knights has been appointed Geelong's VFL coach
FORMER Essendon coach Matthew Knights has been appointed by Geelong as its VFL coach for next year.
Knights, who led the Bombers for three years after stints with Bendigo and the Port Adelaide Magpies, was sacked by Essendon at the end of the 2010 season and wasn't involved in any coaching this year.
The former Richmond champion said he was excited by the thought of returning to football with the Cats after a year out of the game.
"As an outsider I have admired the way Geelong goes about its football and I am looking forward to working in that dynamic environment," Knight said.
"I will do whatever I can to integrate into the Geelong way and play my role in helping the club continue the successful run it has been on. There are a lot of good young players that are keen to learn and make their mark and I will be working with them to prepare them to play the highest level."
Before being appointed Essendon coach in late 2007, Knights guided the Bendigo Bombers, twice taking them to the VFL finals. He also coached Port Adelaide in the SANFL in 2004 after spending 2003 as an assistant coach with the club.
Geelong coach Chris Scott said Knights was an outstanding candidate due to his ability to develop young players.
"Matthew has done an exceptional job in his coaching career in working [with] and developing young players, and we are fortunate that he can bring that experience and expertise to Geelong," Scott said.
"He has coached successfully at VFL level, both in terms of taking his club to the finals but more importantly in developing players to make the step up to AFL level.
"We are really happy to add Matthew to our coaching staff and I am sure that our players will benefit from his teaching ability and football acumen."
Dale Amos, who has led the Cats' VFL unit since 2009, has been promoted to assistant coach with the AFL squad.
