Leeds Rhinos have today confirmed that they have released Assistant Coach Brian McDermott to enable him to become Head Coach of Harlequins RL with immediate effect. McDermott joined the Rhinos in 2004, moving with Tony Smith from Huddersfield Giants and took temporary charge of the team in Smith's absence through illness earlier this season. Commenting on the announcement Tony Smith said, "We will always be grateful for what Brian has done for us over the past three years. He is certainly ready for a Head Coach's job although I know it has been a very difficult decision for him to leave the Rhinos. He goes with all our best wishes and thanks. "There was no way we would have stood in his way once this opportunity became available. He is a very talented coach and I am looking forward to locking horns with him in the future." McDermott spent ten years as a player with Bradford Bulls before beginning his coaching career at Huddersfield Giants. He commented, "My time at Leeds has been a dream come true. The club have been very professional and treated me better than I could ever have imagined, especially having spent my entire career at our biggest rivals. "I owe a massive debt of thanks to everyone at the club, especially everyone at our training ground at Kirkstall, and our Chief Executive Gary Hetherington. In the past, I have never understood why people say decisions like this are the hardest thing they have ever had to do but now I fully understand that. This has been the biggest decision of my life and I would never have left Leeds to join just any other club. Harlequins RL is a tremendous opportunity and a special club. "Finally, publicly I would like to say a big thanks to Tony Smith, although privately I will be thanking him for many years to come for the opportunities he has given me and the chance to work with him," added McDermott.