St George Illawarra Dragons coach: Push to bring Nathan Brown back to the club
There is a push for former St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown to return to the club. Find the full detailsof his role here.
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There is a powerful push to parachute former St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown back into the club as the Dragons explore a total revamp of its football operations.
Influential members of the Dragons top brass remain close with Brown who last coached at the club in 2008.
The 49-year-old who has 282 games of first grade of coaching experience – including 151 with St George-Illawarra – has been discussed for a range of potential roles heading into next season, most notably in either a senior role within the football or recruitment department.
The Dragons are in the minority within the NRL for having no head of recruitment, following the departure last season of Shane Flanagan to Manly.
Interest in Brown has gained momentum ahead of a club-defining call on the future of current head coach Anthony Griffin.
There is a strong possibility Griffin may not survive his current position beyond this season.
Brown’s stocks will rise if the Dragons appoint an untried coach.
The likes of Jason Ryles, Ben Hornby and Dean Young remain at the top of any coaching wish list the Dragons will put together ahead of a board meeting on Tuesday where Griffin’s future will be heavily discussed.
Pairing Brown with one of the rookie coaches has strong support at the club.
Brown, who has coached the Dragons, Newcastle, Huddersfield, St Helens and the Warriors, is considered a perfect sounding board for any potential new coach.
Currently working as the Eels head of elite pathways, Brown has maintained close contact with Ryles, Hornby and Young.
Brown handed Young his first grade debut and coached Hornby and Ryles for extended periods of their careers.
Exactly what role Brown could have remains open.
Brown – who has no ambitions to be head coach at the Dragons again – will be considered for a number of positions; from head of football, assistant coach, list manager to overseeing pathways.
He has a track record of helping rebuild struggling clubs.
Brown also has a smart eye for talent identification.
As a coach, he ushered in new talent having overseen the development of the likes of the Morris twins, the Saifiti twins, Ben Creagh, Bradman Best and Reece Walsh in recent years.
The Dragons have been working hard to revitalise their junior ranks in St George and Illawarra after a long period of neglecting their juniors.
Brown had discussions with Dragons management about a potential return this season but they were unable to find a suitable role.
The Dragons are eager to appoint a new head of recruitment which has been vacant since Flanagan left the club at the end of last year to join Manly’s coaching staff.
Former Knights head of recruitment Alex McKinnon was approached about the job while more recently Sea Eagles’ recruitment boss Scott Fulton has been linked to the role.
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Originally published as St George Illawarra Dragons coach: Push to bring Nathan Brown back to the club
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