Stevens steps down as Renegades, Victoria coach

Victoria and the Melbourne Renegades are both in the hunt for new head coaches after Lachlan Stevens announced his resignation from both roles on Tuesday.

Stevens' final game at the helm of Victoria will be this Saturday's Women's National Cricket League final against Queensland at Junction Oval.

Stevens took over as Victoria's WNCL and the Renegades Rebel WBBL coach last off-season, replacing David Hemp and Tim Coyle respectively.

His departure after one season, which saw the Victorians finish on top of the table and the Renegades miss the semi-finals, is due to family reasons, with Stevens to move home to his native Queensland.

Cricket Victoria and the Melbourne Renegades will commence the process for replacing both of Stevens' roles shortly.

"I'd like to thank everyone at Cricket Victoria and the Melbourne Renegades – the players, my fellow coaches, support staff – everyone who has made this such an enjoyable place to do what we do," Stevens said in a statement released by Cricket Victoria on Tuesday afternoon.

"I'm proud to have been involved in both the women's and men's programs - from the inception of WBBL through to Shield titles with the men's team. It has been a fantastic experience and opportunity."

Stevens was the inaugural coach of the Renegades' WBBL team, seeing them through the first two seasons before returning for WBBL|06.

As part of Victoria's coaching ranks, he was also a part of three Sheffield Shield titles, a One-Day Cup title and the Renegades KFC BBL|08 title, while he finished the 2019-20 summer as interim coach of Victoria's men side.

"Lachlan helped foster the positive and caring environment that has been pivotal in the success of the men's and women's programs throughout his tenure," Cricket Victoria's General Manager of Cricket Shaun Graf said.

"Together with all the coaches, he formed a wonderful combination with Andrew McDonald and together they won every male domestic title on offer in 2018-19, a remarkable achievement.

"Lachlan's transition between our programs over the last five years is testament to his ability to build great relationships and get the best out of cricketers – regardless of what stage they are at in their careers.

"He's a coach of outstanding character, a terrific mentor and a great exponent of skill acquisition for young cricketers."

Melbourne Renegades general manager David Lever said Stevens had played a key role in developing the club's players since the introduction of the WBBL in 2015-16.

"He's taken first time professional cricketers and guided them all the way through to the national team," Lever said.

"Lachlan has led with integrity, empathy and grace mixed with immense tactical and technical cricketing knowledge.  We wish he and his family all the best."