Brad Fittler will have the opportunity to assert himself among State of Origin's greatest ever coaches, after he was granted a one-year contract extension that will take him through to the end of 2021.
Fittler's Blues defended their series win from 2018 with a gripping victory in Sydney last year, James Tedesco's last-minute try securing a memorable 2-1 series triumph.
NSW will chase a hat-trick of Origin titles later this year with the series shifted to November because of the coronavirus pandemic, Fittler content in the knowledge that it won't be the last time he takes charge of the Blues.
"I am really grateful for the NSWRL Board's strong show of faith in me and our Origin and pathways program," Fittler said.
"It also means my coaching future won't be a distraction throughout our preparation and defence of the Origin shield.
"I am really fortunate to have this job and it gives me great pride in seeing how much it unites the state.
"Given the year that the entire community has endured from droughts and bushfires to the COVID-19 pandemic, I can't think of a better way to end the year and lift community spirits. I can't wait for Origin."
The extension will put Fittler among NSW's longest serving coaches, behind only Phil Gould [24 games] and Laurie Daley [15 games].
And if he was to win both the 2020 and 2021 series, Fittler would trail only Gould as the Blues' most successful coach with the former Panthers and Roosters boss having won six series and drawn another across two separate Origin stints.