Yorkshire name new head coach as club looks to rebuild following racism allegations
- Seb Sternik
- 19 January 2022
Ottis Gibson has been announced as the new head coach of Yorkshire after bagging a three-year deal with the club.
The 52-year-old has a plethora of international experience having previously worked with West Indies and South Africa. He also enjoyed two separate spells with England, working as the bowling coach.
Gibson is currently on duty with the Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League, and will officially take over the Yorkshire position at the end of February.
The county is trying to rebuild as 16 members of staff, including the entire coaching set-up, left the club following allegations of racial harassment and bullying raised by former player Azeem Rafiq.
Darren Gough has since been appointed as interim managing director of cricket and will work closely with the new head coach. The club also said they plan to appoint two assistants to work alongside Gibson.
Lord Kamlesh Patel, who was appointed club chair in November, said: "We're delighted to welcome Ottis to the club.
"His playing and coaching credentials speak for themselves and he has had a distinguished career performing at the highest level.
"Ottis' character and his commitment to buying into the process that we are going through at Yorkshire County Cricket Club shone through in our discussions.
"He is someone that I know will encourage dialogue and help foster a culture of inclusion at the club, as well as supporting and developing the world class talent we have here and pushing them to the next level.
"I look forward to working with Ottis over the coming weeks and months as we continue our rebuild of the club."
Gibson's playing career as an all-rounder included stints with Durham, Glamorgan and Leicestershire. He also played two Tests and 15 one-day internationals for the West Indies.
"I'm extremely honoured and excited to be given the opportunity to join Yorkshire County Cricket Club as head coach," he said.
"This is one of the most prestigious roles in English county cricket, and I am really looking forward to working with this talented group of players to take the club forward. I've spoken at length with Goughy about the direction the club is heading in and I'm excited to be a part of that future."
