They fared less well on the European stage, losing all six games of their Heineken Cup pool games in a side containing heavyweights Clermont and Leinster.
But in the face of mixed results on the pitch and some big-name departures including winger George North, Easterby viewed his premier season in charge as a successful first step.
"The first year was always going to be about me learning how to manage things in a different way," the former Ireland international told the South Wales Evening Post.
"There have been more responsibilities and more things to deal with, not just from a rugby point of view, and there are certain elements to the role which I probably didn't see coming.
"But I have had great support from above me and below and that has given me the opportunity to do what I am paid to do, which is coach.
"If someone at the start of the season had said fourth place and a chance to play in a semi-final where anything can happen, I certainly would have set that as a goal for us.
"I am fortunate that I have had the opportunity to assist Nigel for a couple of years and now have the chance to put my stamp on things.
"It is not going to happen within a year, it might not happen for a couple of years, but slowly I am starting to understand that change can make a difference and hopefully change can make a difference for this club in the long term and not just in the next couple of years."
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