North Queensland have turned to club legend Paul Bowman to help unite them after a tumultuous start to 2008.

The highly-regarded former captain was on Monday appointed an assistant coach until the end of 2010, following last week's resignation by coach Graham Murray.

Murray was reported to have endured a frosty relationship with several Cowboys players in his final season at the club, resulting in his demise and the appointment of Neil Henry as coach for five years from 2009.

The arrival of Bowman will help unite the players and coaches as they look to salvage their season from 15th place and three wins outside the top eight.

Interim head coach Ian Millward said Bowman, who retired at the end of 2007, would help relate to the players as they begin the monumental task of trying to make the finals.

"I just think he will be really good for us at the moment, we need a composed head, we need a person that can relate to the players," said Millward.

"We don't have a lot of time to wait. We've two months to get it right and we've got 14 games and we've got to hit the ground running."

Bowman played 203 games for the Cowboys over 13 years and his rise through the coaching ranks follows impressive work with North Queensland's under-20s team.

"I'll bring a lot of passion to the job," said Bowman.

"I hope I've got the players' respect as a player and hopefully I can use that and the close relationships with the players to make them better footballers and a better football side.

"It's going to be tough moving so quickly into the coaching ranks ... there's a line between being their mate and a coach but I have to find that mix.

"I'm just excited about it and it is great to be home again. I call the club home and I'm happy to be back here and it's a challenge where we sit but the only way to go is up."

The fact Bowman only retired last year and has little coaching experience did not deter the Cowboys, with chief executive Peter Parr confirming incoming coach Henry had endorsed the appointment.

"His limited coaching experience didn't bother anyone. He has a number of qualities and a good knowledge of the game," said Parr.

"He has got a great passion for the club and he's one of our greatest ever players to have played over 200 games here and he is our only life member. So to go to someone who has been the fabric of this club for so long we are delighted.

"We've got him back involved in the club a little quicker than what we first thought but it was always our intention to try and bring him back at some stage.

"He's been part of this club for a long time longer than anyone else. We believe he is back where he belongs and we wouldn't bring him back if we didn't think he could contribute."

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