In what is a big year for the students considering some of their big-name departures at the end of 2014, the retention of someone as respected and knowledgeable as McLaren is a big coup.

The former Scotland international enjoyed his first year at the helm of CSU despite a tough season in which the students finished eighth on the ladder with five wins from 18 games.

CSU had a much stronger back half of the season as the team became more familiar with each other, giving big scares to finalists Dubbo Kangaroos and Orange City in the run home.

At one stage, McLaren’s men took three wins in a row – which is the run of football the coach is hoping to see more often this season.

The opening weeks of the season, as always, will prove to be one of the toughest periods for the students, who will go into 2015 with no Jack Garrad, Hugh Medway, Tom Keft or Sam Robertson.

The nature of a university team automatically means high player turnover, but it has been some time since the club has lost such a vital crop of stars.

After a year of being in charge, McLaren hopes, despite those senior player losses and the uncertainty of his new team’s make-up, that those coming back find their feet faster this time around under his leadership.

“They are all a really great bunch, very enjoyable to be around. I’ve lost a few of them, but that’s just the nature of a university team,” he said.

“Hopefully we see an influx of new players.

“Those are big losses, especially Hugh and Sam. You never know, we could have another two turn up to fill their spot.

“We had a review at the end of last season and we had some really good feedback about the way the club was run. 

“We’ll all continue doing work to get a more professional approach developing at the club.

“We’ll have guys back who will be keen to build on last year. 

“They’ve had that year to get used to the way that I run things, so I’d like to think that they can get on the front foot earlier. 

“In saying that, we could have a lot of new players and it may be back to square one.”

One of McLaren’s aims for 2015, and beyond, is to start bolstering the side’s senior ranks.

“I’d like to attract players from Bathurst and the surrounding regions. I think a lot of people have the idea that to play for CSU you have to be a student, and that’s just not the case,” he said.

“We’d like to get a foothold in the Bathurst region and start creating some sustainability in the team.

“The games for me will always be about developing the human more than the score on the board. I know a lot of people don’t agree with that, but it’s what I like to see.”

Pip McIntosh is also back with the first grade side as assistant coach.