League: Jones leaving Juniors for NSW Cup

Stacey Jones coached the Junior Warriors to the Holden Cup title . Photo / Getty

Victorious Junior Warriors coach Stacey Jones will continue his rise through the ranks after being confirmed as the club's New South Wales Cup coach in 2015.

Jones will replace outgoing coach Rohan Smith who is joining the Gold Coast Titans NRL coaching staff, while current Junior Warriors assistant Kelvin Wright will succeed Jones in the head coaching role.

In an exceptional rookie season as NYC coach the 38-year-old club legend completed the unprecedented feat of guiding the Junior Warriors from eighth place to the premiership when they held on to beat the Brisbane Broncos 34-32 at ANZ Stadium yesterday.

His NSW Cup appointment enables him to take a critical step forward in his coaching career, a position which will also see him work closely with Warriors head coach Andrew McFadden and the NRL side.

"He has been really impressive coaching our young players and coming through our pathway," McFadden said.

"I'm excited about having him involved around our NRL players and bringing the expertise and knowledge he has to help them. Stacey also has an unrivalled understanding of and attachment to the club. It has been such a big part of his life."

Jones' only thoughts until now had been on preparing the Junior Warriors for the NYC grand final against Brisbane.

"That's all I've been thinking about. It was the absolute priority," Jones said. "The players have been fantastic and I've thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of coaching week in, week out throughout the season.

"Stepping up to the NSW Cup is going exciting, a great challenge. The Warriors means everything to me and I'll do all I can to help us to go to the next level."

His NYC coaching replacement Wright was appointed Junior Warriors assistant coach in 2013 and is joining the Kiwis' coaching staff for this year's Four Nations.