WARWICKSHIRE CCC have confirmed the shock departure of first team coach Mark Robinson less than two months before the start of the new County Championship season.
Robinson leaves his role as first team coach by mutual consent with former Bears opener and assistant coach Ian Westwood to take over the job with immediate effect.
The major reshuffle came about following a detailed high performance review led by chief executive Stuart Cain.
Robinson led the Bears for four years and guided Warwickshire to a County Championship and Bob Willis Trophy double in his first season at Edgbaston in 2021.
However, the county narrowly avoided relegation in the 2022 season and won just one County Championship game last year.
The Bears have also struggled in the T20 Blast, losing three home quarter-finals under Robinson’s tenure.
Robinson’s replacement Westwood made more than 250 appearances for the Bears across all formats during his playing career.
Other changes as part of the high performance review include former batting coach Tony Frost taking up a new head of cricket operations role.
And Simon Kerrigan has moved from the academy to become second XI coach and offer specialist spin bowling support while Stuart Barnes remains at bowling coach.
The club retained 51 per cent majority ownership of Birmingham Phoenix and will integrate the franchise into the high performance structure from 2026.
Another change sees Paul Greetham switch from academy high performance manager to head of athlete performance.
The club are also close to appointing a new performance director following the departure of Gavin Larsen in November.
The club’s new women’s side remains untouched with head of high performance Laura MacLeod working alongside first team coach Ali Maiden.
Warwickshire chief executive Cain said: “It’s no secret we’ve been disappointed in our men’s performance in recent years.
“We also wanted to proactively address the biggest changes the game has seen in a decade with the long-overdue formation of a professional Bears Women’s team and the integration of Birmingham Phoenix into our elite set-up.
“It was important not to make a knee-jerk response to last season.
“We allowed time for a thorough analysis of our high performance structure and worked with the club’s cricket audit committee and board to create a new approach that recognises the need for improvement and also addresses the challenges created by moving from managing one professional team to four, playing four different formats of cricket.
“Robbo has worked hard for the Bears since joining in 2021 and we shouldn’t underestimate his achievement in winning the County Championship in his first season. He is a quality coach and will be an asset to any club.
“However, considering recent performances and feedback from the review, we felt it was time for change. Ian Westwood is a Bear through-and-through. He understands our history, culture and DNA.
“He is competitive, structured and a quality leader having previously been club captain and second XI coach. He understands how to win red ball matches as well as the demands of white ball, having most recently coached at Sharjah Warriors in the ILT20.
“The new head of cricket operations role means we have somebody focused on running the machine, making sure everything from hotels and kit through to wickets and the indoor centre are set up to support the players and ensure there are no distractions or frustrations.
“Frosty will take over from the retiring Keith Cook who has given such incredible service to the club for more than 50 years.
“And the new athlete performance role is all about helping the players develop and achieve their maximum potential, physically and mentally, alongside the coaching team crafting them into better players and a winning team.
“We will also invest in an enhanced data and insight function, creating an evidence-based culture when it comes to player recruitment and retention, squad selection, game planning and competition strategy.
“We’re confident this new structure gives us the skills, resources and focus needed for the men’s and women’s teams to put themselves in a position to win domestic tournaments, as well as develop local talent from the many diverse communities that surround Edgbaston.”
