An apparatus for actively transferring a coil of hot metal within a coilbox in hot strip mill. The apparatus is located downstream of the initial coilbox uncoiling station and includes at least one singly pivoting coil cradle. Such a coil cradle has a first support roller with a fixed rotational axis, a swing-frame mounted to pivot about that axis, and a second support roller mounted to the swing-frame, able to pivot about the fixed rotational axis of the first support roller to permit the coil of hot metal to be passed from the coil cradle. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a plurality of such singly pivoting coil cradles. The apparatus may also include at least one dually pivoting coil cradle.