Todd Payten vouches for Dean Young to become NRL head coach

With pressure continuing to mount on Anthony Griffin at the Red V, Cowboys coach Todd Payten says a Dragons great who is one of his assistants is ready to become a head coach in the NRL.

Dean Young during the North Queensland Cowboys pre-season training at Hutchinson Builders Centre in Townsville. Picture: Matthew Elkerton

Todd Payten says Cowboys assistant Dean Young is ready to become an NRL coach amid speculation the Dragons great is in the mix to replace Anthony Griffin at the Red V.

Griffin is fighting for his future at St George Illawarra following a sloppy start to the season which has thrust the spotlight on his coaching career.

Despite already having a bye, the Dragons are sitting in the bottom four after four rounds with only one win and a points differential of -40 – the worst in the NRL.

Griffin was last week rocked by reports the Dragons were eyeing potential new coaches and his team has conceded an average of 32.7 points per game this season, the worst defensive record in the league.

The Dragons have a somewhat favourable draw over the next six rounds, however Wayne Bennett’s determined Dolphins won’t be easy beats on Saturday night in Wollongong.

If Griffin is sacked, a number of candidates have been speculated to coach the Dragons including Shane Flanagan, Jason Ryles and Des Hasler.

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin is under significant pressure. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Among the leading contenders is Young – the 209-game Dragons legend who played in the club’s 2010 premiership team.

Young, 38, has forged a successful coaching career since retiring in 2012, progressing through the grades and stepping in as interim Dragons NRL coach for six weeks in 2020 following the sacking of Paul McGregor.

He left the Dragons in 2021 following the appointment of Griffin, joining Payten at the Cowboys on a three-season contract which expires at the end of this year.

Young has created an impressive coaching resume, also assisting Tonga’s Test team last year, and Payten said he was ready to take the next step and become head coach of an NRL team.

“I do (think he’s ready), absolutely,” Payten said.

“He has been a great foil for me. He is well organised and not just an assistant here. He thinks about the bigger picture and the program. He is always throwing suggestions my way.

“He understands the game and people. That’s what makes him such a good coach.

“He has got a good demeanour, connects with the team and is experienced.”

Young was a former assistant and interim coach at the Dragons. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

After taking over North Queensland’s top job in 2021, Payten has assembled a football staff that’s helped the Cowboys rise to the NRL’s top four last year.

Young has played a key role in that and Payten said he wouldn’t be surprised if his right-hand man was snapped up for a top job.

“If he goes, he deserves to go,” he said.

“He is a very good coach and I understand fully that most assistants want to be a head coach. If he goes, it won’t be a surprise to me.

“Whichever club he goes to will be getting a very good coach.”

In the meantime, Payten and Young are focused on keeping the Cowboys in the premiership hunt as they battle injury and suspension setbacks.

Prop James Tamou is fighting to save his NRL career after suffering a serious foot (Lisfranc) injury in last weekend’s 24-12 win against the Titans, in which Kangaroos winger Murray Taulagi picked up a knee injury that will sideline him for a month.

Kangaroos forward Reuben Cotter (knee) is out for a month and the Cowboys will also be without fullback Scott Drinkwater and Maroons star Jeremiah Nanai for Sunday’s clash with Canterbury as they serve suspensions.