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Exeter Chiefs: Rob Hunter leaves Gallagher Premiership club by mutual consent with Rob Baxter to take charge for rest of season
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Published 02/05/2025 at 18:25 GMT+1
Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Hunter was suspended this week after a crushing 79-17 defeat on Sunday against Gloucester in the Gallagher Premiership. That defeat - a record for Exeter - has now cost Hunter his job after the Chiefs confirmed on Friday that he had left the club by mutual consent. Director of rugby Rob Baxter will replace him for the rest of the season.
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Rob Hunter has left the Exeter Chiefs as head coach by mutual consent, four days after he was suspended following the club’s record loss.
Hunter and attack coach Ali Hepher were stood down after they lost 79-17 away to Gloucester, the biggest defeat in the side’s history.
He had only been in place as head coach for four matches, having been given the role in March when Hepher was demoted.
The struggling side lost 52-38 in his first game in charge, before overseeing a 17-15 win against Newcastle - just their third victory of the campaign.
He followed that up with his second loss, 26-24 against Bath, before they were crushed on Sunday as Gloucester racked up 13 tries in a rout.
Hunter had been at Sandy Park for 13 years, and he was praised by Exeter chief executive and chairman Tony Rowe in a statement.
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Highlights: Gloucester score 13 TRIES in record-breaking win over Exeter
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He said: "On behalf of everyone at Exeter Rugby Club, I would like to express our gratitude to Rob for his dedication and the impact he has had during his time with us.
"We wish him every success in his future endeavours."
Director of rugby Rob Baxter added: "Rob has been an integral part of our coaching team across multiple seasons.
"I want to personally thank him for his hard work, loyalty, and the positive influence he has had on the squad.
"Although it is never easy to part ways with someone who has contributed so much, we look forward with confidence and enthusiasm as we continue to build on the strong foundations Rob has helped to establish."
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Baxter will take charge of coaching until the end of the season, with Haydn Thomas the defence coach, and skills coach Ricky Pellow.
Exeter face another potentially tough match in their next game on Sunday, 11 May, when they play current champions Northampton.
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