"The speculation about the team's survival makes this job an even bigger ask than it was already," says Sean in the Sunday Times. "But the challenge is to get it right, and I'm confident that I can; why else would I have taken the job?
"I trust Gordon (McKie) and what he's doing. He's had to make the sort of hard decisions that people before him just didn't make. I'm confident that we'll attract the sort of backing to still have three pro teams next year, and I genuinely think this is the start of a long climb back for the game."
Last season Glasgow finished sixth in the Celtic League, ahead of their Scottish rivals. This year, they look set to miss out on Heineken Cup qualification and could finish bottom of the table.
More perturbing than these material losses has been the absence of the confidence, charisma and attitude that were the mark of the side on all of its better days last year. "The place has gone completely flat," says Sean. "We need to look at the players and the excuses that we give them for failure. Pride and passion aren't everything, but you've seen with the national team that they play a huge part in the Scottish psyche. You've got to have that as a minimum, and we haven't this year. That's why the prospect of cuts is a real one. There has obviously been a lot of chat around the squad this week about what might happen; it's the not knowing that is the hardest thing."
Sean's influence is already being felt across the Glasgow operation as the signatures of Thom Evans and Al Kellock are just two of the "half dozen" signings he wants to make this summer.
"It's a real selling job trying to get people to come here, especially when they hear last Friday's news, but I'm persistent," smiles Sean. "Why do players change clubs? The league, the teammates, the great facilities, the money? Glasgow doesn't tick many boxes in there, but it's my job to get round that. We cannot compete financially with the Welsh and Irish provinces, but it can make you look a very good coach if you can get it right without the money.
"I have a lot of energy and I want to pour myself into every corner of this job."