 Cummins quit playing just before his 29th birthday |
Former Leeds back Francis Cummins has been promoted to assistant coach at Headingley following Brian McDermott's departure to Harlequins. McDermott quit as Tony Smith's number two to take over as Quins head coach.
Cummins, 29, retired after 12 seasons as a Rhinos player at the end of last season to take up a coaching role.
Smith said: "We always had a senior coaching position in mind for Francis and now the opportunity has arisen, I am pleased to promote him."
He added: "He has impressed everyone over the past 18 months with how he has taken to coaching."
Cummins made his Leeds debut at the age of 16 in 1993 and is the club's sixth-highest try-scorer with 188.
Smith said: "Brian McDermott has been a great contributor to my coaching and I am grateful for all the effort he has put in.
"He is leaving with our blessings and I wouldn't be surprised if he was to return to the Rhinos one day as a possible head coach.
"It has been a great partnership and I'm looking forward to the next one with Francis Cummins."
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