BRAD Scott believes the speculation about his future at North Melbourne was "out of control", with the re-signed coach reaffirming that he never seriously contemplated offers from opposition clubs.
The Kangaroos announced on Wednesday that Scott, whose tenure was set to expire at the end of 2018, had signed a two-year contract extension, seeing him remain as North's coach until the end of 2020.
Scott was most closely linked with the available Gold Coast job, and was even installed as favourite to claim the position with some bookmakers after the club and veteran coach Rodney Eade parted ways before the end of the season.
"There's no doubt that I would expect that people would approach my management," Scott said on Wednesday.
"But from my perspective I've made my commitment to North Melbourne clear and I certainly wasn't keen to explore any other options.
"It was purely to work out whether I was still the best fit for North Melbourne, and as soon as the club came to that conclusion then we very quickly got to this result."
A sub-committee of chairman Ben Buckley, CEO Carl Dilena, football manager Cameron Joyce and club director Glenn Archer endorsed Scott to continue in the position after first being appointed as coach in 2010.
Scott said he was more than comfortable with the process that led to his re-signing.
"The media speculation was out of control. It was always amusing to me that a lot of people were telling me what I was apparently doing when there was only one person who could answer that question, and that was me," he said.
"I've been very clear in telling everyone the process that we would go through and I think that's come exactly to fruition."
Buckley said Scott's re-signing was a significant step in the club's plan for sustained success.
Scott will take over from Denis Pagan as North's longest-serving coach if he sees his contract through until 2020.
"The renewal and extension of Brad's contract is a key plank in putting us on the path to a successful and sustainable team, which we hope will be competing in the finals in the next three- to five-year period," Buckley said.
"The sub-committee that looked at extending Brad's contract beyond 2018 came to the conclusion very quickly and we didn't have to ask Brad to come in and present."
Having embarked on a bold list management strategy at the end of last season, with the departures of Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Nick Dal Santo and Michael Firrito, Scott said the Roos remained steadfast in their plans.
A 15th-place finish and just six wins in 2017 would not alter the club from the course it had chosen, Scott said.
"I've been extremely impressed with the way the club has stuck to the strategy this year through periods of adversity. When the wins aren't mounting and the losses start to stack up, people can falter at times – even if you do have a solid strategy," he said.
"The football club has been rock solid this year, and it's just a testament to the leadership that's at the football club right at the moment."