After guiding the Wagga club to the Southern Inland grand final this year, McLeod has decided to step away.

He came into the role after Will Mitchell took the club to an undefeated premiership in 2016.

Waratahs only lost four games under McLeod, all to undefeated premiers Leeton, including the 30-29 grand final defeat in August.

However with a young family, he doesn't have the time to spend in the role.

"I'd love to do it again but it isn't the right timing in my life or my family's life," McLeod said.

"With getting so close on grand final day it certainly leaves a bit wanting, but it is another eight months.

"I've been tied up with the club for quite a few years in some type of capacity and next year is an opportunity to do my own thing."

Getting so close to guiding the team to back-to-back premierships made McLeod consider having another year.

However he's comfortable with his decision.

"It was very tempting," McLeod said.

"There is no question about it, and even if we didn't come as close as we did the passion is still there and the drive is still there.

"It is just the timing and I live out at Tarcutta so it isn't just ducking down to the footy oval to train or to get home at night."

The decision was far from a surprise to Waratahs president Warwick Grant.

"We knew he would only be there for a year or so," Grant said. 

"He did a good job this year.

"We got three teams into the final and while we may not have got any silverware as a club we were quite happy with the way things went."

Grant said there were already a number of candidates the club were considering.

McLeod's departure means three Wagga teams are the only Southern Inland clubs still looking to lock in a coach.

Wagga City and Ag College are also looking for replacements, Craig Morriss has come onboard at Griffith while there has been no change to the coaching ranks at Albury, Leeton, CSU or Tumut.

Grant doesn't expect the same player turnover for 2018 and believes the club's upcoming 60th anniversary is a draw card for many considering retirement.