A club statement said that after four years it was felt that the time was right for a coaching change at Melrose. The statement went on to say that Gary Parker was keen to pursue new challenges elsewhere.
At the start of February there were press reports linking Parker with a coaching position at Glasgow Warriors. Kiwi Searancke has stated that he intends to appoint a Scottish assistant to help him with his backs section and wants the new man to be in place by the end of April.
This month he told The Herald: "It would be fair to say I would not be looking too far out of Scotland. I see a part of my role to help develop a coach in Scotland. My first look will be to see who's around inside the Scottish system right now. I believe the credentials are they must have coached or been part of a coaching organisation at the top club level in Scotland."