Undoubtedly the worst year in the Brisbane Broncos storied history, Gentle was at the coalface throughout.

The Kiama product started the year as Anthony Seibold's assistant, having followed the young coach from South Sydney to Red Hill prior to the 2019 season.

Read more: Jack Bird ready to fly home to St George Illawarra

By the end of the year, Gentle was in charge as the club's first wooden spoon beckoned.

The 55-year-old doesn't deny the past season was difficult, but throughout the challenges, he's also taken a number of positives.

"You learn something every week," Gentle said. "There were plenty of lessons to take from the season.

"You do some self-reflection after a season like that and there are a few things you'd do differently, but it's all part of the learning curve.

"There wasn't one thing that we didn't get right, there were a number of things that didn't work. Every day I'm trying to improve as a coach, as the players do, so I'm confident I have improved as a result of this past year."

With the 2020 season in the rearview mirror, Gentle has returned home.

A former St George first grade player, he started as an assistant coast at the joint venture earlier this month.

Remarkably, he had never met Anthony Griffin before agreeing to work alongside the Dragons new leader.

A few phone calls and positive reviews from those who worked with the coach at the Broncos were enough to convince Gentle to join the staff.

"I hadn't met Hook before, but all the things I had heard out of Brisbane were everyone had a big rap on him.

"This was also an opportunity to come back to St George Illawarra, that was a great incentive. I'm from the South Coast, Kiama, played a couple of seasons at St George, it was great to come back home.

"It was also a good opportunity to work with a lot of good people. The roster at the moment is very talented.

"I'm excited to work with Hook and Matt Elliott. I played with Matt at St George, I coached Matt Head when he was playing, I know Shaun Timmins well. It seems like a good fit and I'm excited about what's ahead."

The Dragons will be a new proposition for Gentle.

He worked with recruit Jack Bird in Brisbane, while he also coached mercurial half Corey Norman during their time together at Parramatta, and Tyrell Fuimaono at the Rabbitohs.

Gentle finds himself in perhaps the toughest role at the club.

With fellow assistant Matt Elliott in charge of the side's attack, Gentle has been tasked with improving a subpar defensive unit.

Throw in the attacking revolution sparked by the introduction of the six-again rule and the coach knows he has a big test ahead, but it's one he's excited to tackle.

"I'm hopeful I can improve the team's defence. I'll look to make a few changes there, Hook and I have noticed a few things and we'll see what works and doesn't work. Defence wins competitions, we need to get it right.

"With the rule changes there will be changes to defences this year. Also having a condensed pre-season, Origin guys won't get back until the new year, makes it tougher.

"Every club is in the same boat. They'll be looking at the new rules, how to exploit them and benefit from them. It is something we've been discussing."