ST George Illawarra have appointed Paul McGregor as their coach for the next three seasons.

McGregor took the coaching reins in round 12 after Steve Price was sacked mid-season.

The former Dragons skipper has filled the coaching position in an interim role with the Dragons heavily linked to Wayne Bennett before the supercoach announced he will join Brisbane next season.

While the joint venture was also linked with Test coach Tim Sheens, McGregor won out on Friday.

A former Origin and Test centre, McGregor declared the announcement was career highlight.

media_camera Paul McGregor has been announced as Dragons head coach for the next three years.

“It was an absolute honour to play and captain the Dragons and to now be given the opportunity to be the head coach on a full-time basis is an even greater honour,” said McGregor.

“When I first began coaching after retiring from playing, I did this because I felt that I had something to offer and I wanted to share my experience and make players both better players and better people and this will continue to be a guiding principle for me.

media_camera Paul McGregor has been announced as Dragons head coach for the next three years.

“When I took over the role half-way through the year it was definitely in difficult circumstances and despite the concerns that I had at the start of the journey, I have loved every minute of it.

“The response of the players, the challenge and the positive rewards gave me the desire to put my hand up for the role full-time.”