Ring and Auld have been appointed co-coaches of the Bears, taking over from Damien Featherby.

It’s Ring’s first senior coaching role, while Auld is no stranger to the Loddon Valley Football League.

Auld previously coached Bridgewater to the first two of what has become five flags in a row in 2010 and 2011.

Ring has spent the past two years at the Bears as an assistant coach, losing grand finals to Bridgewater both seasons.

Before his move to the Bears, wingman Ring played in two premierships with Heathcote.

Ring will be a playing coach, while Auld will be a non-playing coach in 2015, which will mark 20 years since the Bears’ last flag.

“Damien’s  (Featherby) work over the past four years has left the club in a really good position,” Ring said.

“We’ve played in the past three finals series and have a really good group.

“There will be a few changes in the way we go about our footy, but for a start we will just look to enjoy the pre-season.”

Ring said the Bears would not be dwelling on the past two grand final losses and were focused on moving forward.

“With the changeover of coaching, we’ll bring in a new model and it’s just a fresh start for us,” Ring said.

“We certainly won’t be focusing on what’s happened in the past two grand finals.

“We’ll just be digging in and focusing on what we can do next to improve.

“We’ll bring in some new ideas and different ways of doing things.”

As for Auld’s history in the LVFL with Bridgewater, Ring was quick to play that down.

“Everyone has a history somewhere and that’s not something we’ll be worried about at all,” Ring said.

Featherby spent the past four years as Bears’ coach, during which he built a 48-25 record and played finals in three seasons, including the two grand finals.