This doesn’t mean Turnbull is leaving Orange, however.

Turnbull will share his time between the two locations with a week in Wagga Wagga followed by four days in Orange.

He will be helping at his son’s physiotherapy and exercise physiology practice in Wagga and still consulting in Orange when he is home.

Turnbull, who will turn 60 this month, has been a guest coach for the Wagga Aggies in the past but accepted an offer to take on the full-time role in 2012.

“I’ve had meetings with them and I’ve taken a few low-key sessions. We’ll start training on February 7,” Turnbull said.

Aggies play in the Southern Inland competition and Turnbull already has plans for 2012.

“The goals are to try and develop their skills to the optimum level,” he explained.

“We want to try and improve on some of their past performances. We want to try and develop the players to play for Southern Inland. Plus we want them to enjoy their rugby.”

Turnbull coached Emus to Blowes Menswear Cup premierships from 1999 to 2002 and returned to mentor the side again in 2007.

He admits it will be interesting returning to a full-time role.

“It will be a little bit different because I haven’t done it for a while,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been out of it for three of four years. I haven’t lost touch though because I’ve been doing a few guest coaching spots.”

One challenge Turnbull will face in coaching Aggies is losing players during the university holidays.

This is something he is prepared for and he believes it could be a good opportunity for others to step up to the top grade and prove themselves.

Turnbull will have an assistant coach to take over when he is in Orange as well as two senior players to help.