Ten years after being dumped by North Queensland, inaugural Cowboys coach Grant Bell's career came full circle when he was appointed as Graham Murray's assistant for the 2006 season.

Far from bitter over his 1995 axing following the Cowboys' abysmal debut, Bell jumped at the chance to complete some "unfinished business" at the revitalised NRL club.

Bell worked hard behind the scenes from 1994 to help build the expansion club from the ground up, only to be replaced by Kiwi coach Graham Lowe in 1996 following the Cowboys' shocking maiden season record of 2-20 (win-loss).

A decade after a less than amicable departure as head coach, Bell again joined the Cowboys coaching staff as part of a major reshuffle at the 2005 NRL grand finalists.

Bell replaces assistant Kelly Egan who will move into the Cowboys football manager role.

Current football manager Peter Parr slots in as chief executive following the retirement of Denis Keeffe.

Asked if he was tempted to think he would not coach again at the Cowboys after his 1995 departure, Bell said: "Yes and no. I don't think you ever rule anything out.

"I was keen to see an opportunity to get back in if it presented itself.

"They made a decision they thought at the time was appropriate and that was that.

"But the whole hierarchy is completely different these days."

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