It seems the old adage of "happy wife, happy life" is more important to Nathan Brown than the chance to return to the NRL coaching ranks.

The former St George Illawarra mentor put an end to speculation he was heading back to Australia by announcing on Wednesday he had signed a 12-month extension with English Super League club Huddersfield.

The deal means Brown, Super League coach of the year in 2009, will stay with the Giants until the end of the 2012 season.

Brown had been reportedly considering a return to Australia for family reasons, with Penrith considered likely to offer him their coaching job for next season but, in the end, it was his wife Tanya who convinced him to stay in the UK.

"I always said I would wait until our new baby was born to make a decision, but the wife and the kids are really happy here and so it was an easy decision to make really," said Brown.

"I am lucky to have a job at Huddersfield. There are 30 rugby league jobs in the world so, if you have one, you can count yourself pretty fortunate."

Brown, 37, guided the Giants to a third-place finish in the League and to their first Wembley appearance for 47 years in his first season at the club. He followed it up by taking them to within 80 minutes of a maiden grand-final appearance last season.

It is the second time in 12 months Brown has made an about-turn on a decision to return to Australia.

"If you have got a club that wants you, especially if it is doing reasonably well, you can feel pretty privileged," he said.

"We seem to be improving each year and we would like to keep doing that. The club is definitely on the rise.

"We have a good blend of players in the primes of their careers and younger players who are continually improving.

"We have played in a lot of finals footy in the last few years, and the next step is to continue to do well and put ourselves in that situation where we can get to the finals and improve when we get there."

Giants' managing director Richard Thewlis said Brown's decision was a boost to the Yorkshire club.

"Our progress under Nathan has been excellent and to have him as our head coach for a further season is simply marvellous," Thewlis said.

"We have respected his wishes in making this decision in his own time, as it's a big call for him to make, but we are naturally delighted that he remains here with his family in West Yorkshire.

"We can all now knuckle down to our respective tasks in the knowledge that we have a man at the helm who we all feel here can bring silverware to this great club which is our objective."

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