He also won an All-Ireland county and club titles as a player.
Former Offaly hurling boss Ollie Baker will manage in the Laois Hurling Championship in 2022.
He will guide The Harps as they look to establish themselves in the senior ranks, following a brush with relegation in the debut season in the top tier.
They staved off the threat of the trapdoor after a strong showing against Abbeyleix in the relegation final, in what has proved to be Fintan Deegan's last game at the helm.
Baker was mostly recently working with Belmont in Offaly, with previous stints in the backroom team of Clare and Antrim.
He will have three current Laois stars to work with in the form of Ciaran Comeford, Podge Delaney and Padraic Dunne.