Kevin Moore promised to bring his own fresh approach to the Bulldogs after the NRL club confirmed his promotion from long-term assistant to head coach from 2009.

Rugby league's worst-kept secret was confirmed when the Bulldogs unveiled Moore as the successor to Steve Folkes, who announced last week he would not be re-applying for his position next season.

Moore has signed on for the 2009 and 2010 seasons while the club also appointed former Bulldogs premiership winner and current Sharks assistant coach Jim Dymock as an assistant coach, starting on Tuesday.

Moore, son of Bulldogs patriarch Peter Moore, has spent the past seven years under Folkes, prompting concerns he had little different to offer the club.

But Moore pledged to be his own man, and said his time as an assistant had served as the "perfect apprenticeship" before his transition to head coach.

"You look at people like Craig Bellamy, Neil Henry and Ivan Cleary - they've had really good educations under some of the best people in the game like Wayne Bennett, Ricky Stuart and the like," Moore said.

"I'd like to think that experience and the ability to learn without the real pressure of day-to-day head coaching gives you an opportunity to I suppose think a little bit about how you will do things as a head coach, without being under the spot light.

"Those three coaches have all gone on since being under those coaches and developed their own persona I suppose and I look forward to doing that next year.

"You bring your own personality to the job ... I've certainly got my own ideas and I think as a coach you evolve."

The club confirmed Folkes had its full backing until the end of the season, despite Moore and Dymock's readiness to assume their new roles.

"I think first and foremost there's some respect and loyalty to the current coach ... he has provided some fantastic service here," said chief executive Todd Greenberg.

"He (Folkes) has provided some fantastic service here, so first and foremost Steve Folkes is the coach through to the end of 08 but unlike some other clubs, Kevin has the opportunity to continue to work in the same club with some similar structures while putting in plans for `09.

"I think we're in a fantastic position."

Greenberg said even a string of poor results would not threaten Folkes' position.

Moore said he would continue in his assistant role as normal for the rest of the season, while starting to plan for 2009 "behind the scenes".

He said he had already targeted several areas where he hoped to strengthen the squad through recruitment next season.

The club is reportedly after several players including St George Illawarra backs Matt Cooper and Josh Morris, Sydney Roosters prop David Shillington, Brisbane's Steve Michaels and North Queensland's Carl Webb.

"There's some cash available, probably not as much as what some people have said, but we'll be in the market for a good two or three or four experienced players," Moore said.

Moore said his appointment sent a message that loyalty and hard work would be rewarded and recognised by the club.

It would have been a proud day for his late father, known as "Bullfrog".

"I think particularly with dad being so close and heavily involved in the club, that has given me a tremendous sense of what the club's about and the strengths of the club and what we need to maintain moving forward," Moore said.

"... I realise it's a huge responsibility we're a very famous club and we've got some very passionate fans and they I suppose demand success.

"I love this club, I'm passionate about the club and I'm looking forward to next year."

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