Sacked South Sydney coach Jason Taylor admitted he contemplated ending his 30-year association with rugby league following his emotional departure from the Rabbitohs last year.
Taylor was axed after being knocked out by ex-Souths forward David Fa'alogo during an altercation at an end-of season function, the Bunnies appointing veteran coach John Lang in his place after a drawn-out investigation into the affair.
Taylor revealed he almost walked away from the game he loved as a result of the hurt and pain he felt over his axing.
After being unveiled as the NSW Residents coach on Thursday - the first step in the re-building of his coaching career - the former North Sydney and Wests half-back spoke candidly about his state of mind at the time of his dumping.
"Absolutely. I did (think about quitting the game) but not for too long," he said
"I had a real good think about my life and where it was going to go and where I wanted it to go."
"The experience that I've got in the game and the amount of enjoyment I get out of all parts of it meant that in the end I'd regret going in a completely different direction."
"It's funny the different emotions that you have."
Taylor spoke at the NSW Residents launch along with Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson, the pair keeping a safe distance and avoiding any contact.
Taylor was guarded when asked to assess South Sydney's chances in 2010 following the club's biggest build-up to a season in more than 20 years.
"I was involved in all of that (recruitment) and to not be there is disappointing, but that's life," he said.
"I think they'll do well ... don't ask me what that means because I won't tell you."
Asked if he still considered himself a career coach, Taylor replied: "I don't know if I ever did."
"There were times when I thought that's how it would be but I didn't know if that's what I wanted."
"Things are up in the air as far as that goes."
"That's not to say I don't want to and won't get back into coaching at that level again some day, but I just don't know at this stage."
The 39-year-old will now concentrate on his duties as a kicking coach with the Sydney Roosters while running an eye over the second-tier NSW Cup ahead of the NSW Residents clash with Queensland Residents clash.
That match will act as a curtain-raiser to Origin III in Sydney in July.
"It's something I'm really excited about being involved with," Taylor said.
"It wasn't what I thought I was going to be doing this year but that's fine."