Exclusive: Former Featherstone Rovers assistant coach Ian Hardman is set to take over as head coach of Keighley Cougars.
Keighley has been on the hunt for a new head coach for several weeks after the departure of Alan Kilshaw to Oldham in January.
rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads understands the Cougars will appoint Hardman to the role.
A fullback, winger and centre in his playing days, the 40-year-old had stints with St Helens, Hull KR, Widnes and Featherstone.
Hardman made nearly 300 appearances for Rovers before retiring in 2018.
He spent several seasons at the club as an assistant coach and as the head of Foundation & Operations Manager for the Featherstone Rovers Foundation.
Hardman was tipped to take over as Featherstone head coach this season, if Mark Campbell’s group was given the license, but the RFL did not award the group the license.
After two rounds of the Championship season Keighley have won one game and lost one.
The Cougars defeated Goole in round one but were pipped 22-20 by Dewsbury in round two.