The big man has left the building but no-one appears to be in panic mode.
The Highlanders will go into their first season since 2010 without Jamie Joseph in charge.
Will it simply be same cart with a different driver, or will the cart take on a completely new look with Tony Brown in charge?
One would tend to stick with the former.
The players are more or less the same, with all the key men back from the Joseph reign, and Brown has been heavily involved over the past three seasons.
Joseph was a hard driving coach and Brown is of the same mould. He may come across as easy-going and relaxed but he is driven to perform and expects the same from his players.
Brown brought plenty of innovation to the role as attack coach and Highlanders fans will hope that continues.
Being a head coach can be all-consuming at times, with 101 one things to do, but Brown will make sure he finds time to sort the attack out.
Armed with a new forwards coach in the well-travelled Mark Hammett, the Highlanders look primed and ready for serious assault on the title.
To state the obvious, the side has a very exciting set of backs. To have players of the calibre of Richard Buckman, Patrick Osborne and Matt Faddes not even able to make the starting XV shows a backline with loads of ability.
From Smith, Ben, at fullback to Smith, Aaron, at halfback, the backline has plenty of X-factor.
Word is that Tevita Li has been excellent in pre-season. He has the goods and now just needs to get on the field and play well.
Up front, the side has the grunt with Liam Squire and Elliot Dixon looking to lead the charge in the loose forwards. It could be an interesting year for Dixon, who tailed off at the end of last year.
Prop Josh Hohneck has left to go overseas and he was a bit of a unsung hero for the Highlanders over the past couple of years. The front row, though, is still strong and new boy Siate Tokolahi is one to watch.
Ash Dixon should be back in about two months but Liam Coltman is a better player, so the Highlanders will lose nothing there.
The Highlanders have a tough draw with the four New Zealand sides in the first four games.
These games are always close and often are decided by two or three big moments.
That is when the class players come to the fore. The Highlanders have enough of those to win more than they lose.
Highlanders
How they look
Coach: Tony Brown
Key forward: Flanker James Lentjes
Key back: Halfback Aaron Smith
Glass half full: Plenty of attacking ability, class players in key areas, great home ground to play in, strong support base
Glass half empty: Injuries already, tough start, set piece could buckle.
Last year: Semifinals
Prediction: Winner