Mick Potter has put his faith in the current Bulls backroom to aid next season’s rebuilding efforts.

Assistant Lee St Hilaire and head of physical performance Geoff Evans have both been handed new one-year deals after being given the nod by the incoming boss.

St Hilaire will remain in charge of first-team matters until the current St Helens chief arrives in November, having stepped up following Steve McNamara’s departure last week, and oversaw a 30-26 defeat to Salford in his first game as caretaker coach.

But St Hilaire admits he is not yet ready to make the jump to a top job permanently and is excited by the prospect of learning from Potter.

“It’s a good learning curve and the current situation will put me in good stead for later in my career,” said the former Huddersfield and Castleford winger, who was appointed to the Bulls’ backroom staff by McNamara in 2006.

“I want to be a head coach and hopefully under Mick’s guidance I can continue to learn and prepare myself to take a job in a couple of years’ time.

“I’m very happy I’ll be staying at Bradford Bulls and even happier that Mick okayed it for me and Geoff to stay. The club is going places so I do want to be a part of that.

“Mick will continue to take the club forward. His track record speaks for itself and hopefully he can bring that quality here.”

Evans, meanwhile, has earned praise for the way he has revolutionised fitness and conditioning at Odsal this season.

Brought in by McNamara to replace the departing Martin Clawson last winter, the Aussie has introduced a number of innovations involving sports science and nutrition.

And despite the Bulls’ on-field struggles, the strong finishes in recent games against Hull FC and Salford suggests his methods are reaping rewards.

“I was pretty keen to stay at Bradford. I can see what’s going on at the club and long-term I would like to be here because the club will reap the rewards,” said Evans, who has previously worked at St Helens, Huddersfield and Wakefield.

“It’s a really great place to work so I jumped at the chance to continue under Mick. I had a job offer in Europe but I wanted to stay and sort out the Bulls.

“I’ve heard good things about Mick and I think it’s a positive move for the club. He’s got a good reputation and the players I have spoken to at St Helens have given me good feedback.”

Chairman Peter Hood admits it was a priority to secure the services of both St Hilaire and Evans.

“Continuity was a factor but so was the calibre of both individuals and Mick Potter was more than happy to keep them on board,” said Hood.

“One-year deals are appropriate in this situation because, with a new coach coming in, it gives everyone a chance to see how they work together.

“Lee came to the club in 2006 and he’s been a very successful appointment – an excellent assistant who’s stepped up well in difficult circumstances recently.

“Meanwhile, Geoff has only been at the club for a year but if you talk to any of the senior players, they’ll tell you how impressed they are with him.”