Coaches on the market: Who your NRL club should be chasing
With the knives already coming out for some under-pressure coaches, here are 14 past, present and possibly future mentors who clubs could turn to to right the ship.
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With the knives already coming out for some under-pressure coaches, here are 14 past, present and possibly future mentors who clubs could turn to to right the ship.
Trent Barrett
Penrith assistant coach
A former captain and Dally M winner at the Dragons after making his debut for the Steelers. The ex-Country Origin coach had mixed success during his three-year stint in charge of the Sea Eagles, which ended in 2018, when he had strong support from his playing group. Returned to the Panthers as an assistant coach this year and has also been part of the NSW coaching set-up in recent years.
NRL games coached: 73 — Won 29, Lost 44 (39.7%)
Wayne Bennett
Rabbitohs head coach
The Bennett-Back-to-the-Dragons rumour won’t go away.
But know this, if Bennett does return to where he won the premiership in 2010, he would need to regain the trust of owner and WIN chairman Andrew Gordon.
It was Gordon who Bennett backflipped on in the space of 24 hours in 2014. At Newcastle, Bennett said he’d quit to rejoin the Dragons in 2015, but reneged the next day to sign with Brisbane. The frugal Gordons are also only willing to pay a head coach around $500,000 — which is below Bennett’s asking price.
NRL games coached: 843 — Won 522, Lost 307, Drawn 14 (61.9%)
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Nathan Brown
Consultant to the Warriors prior to COVID-19 restrictions
On the hunt for a full-time NRL coaching role after quitting as coach of the Knights last year.
A former Dragons player and coach, Brown shares an extremely tight relationship with St George Illawarra Dragons director Peter Doust. The board that will decide the next coach.
NRL games coached: 245 — Won 104, Lost 140, Drawn 1 (42.4%)
Cameron Ciraldo
Penrith assistant coach.
Considered one of the best young coaches in the game with an ambition to become an NRL coach. Clearly others see that, too, given he replaced Anthony Griffin in the final six weeks of the 2018 season, winning three from six matches. In 2019, he was pipped by Cronulla coach John Morris for the Sharks job.
NRL games coached: 6 — Won 3, Lost 3 (50%)
Craig Fitzgibbon
Roosters and NSW Blues assistant coach
Dapto’s favourite son and the man who Andrew Johns says should lead the Dragons revival.
Widely considered the next cab off the rank as far as NRL coaches go, he is defence-focused and boasts Trent Robinson’s tutelage.
Interestingly, he’s managed by David Riolo, the same agent as Paul McGregor.
Shane Flanagan
St George-Illawarra assistant coach
Peter V’landys said this week he wouldn’t reduce Flanagan’s head-coaching ban short to help fix the Dragons’ problems. In addition, the NRL has confirmed to The Sunday Telegraph the premiership-winning coach hasn’t applied to the NRL to coach the Red V or any club before the scheduled relaxation of his ban in 2022.
NRL games coached: 185 — Won 102, Lost 81, Drawn 2 (55.1%)
LISTEN! This week on The Daily Telegraph podcast Mobbsy, Mick and Buzz talk through financial irresponsibility of clubs after just one round, Paul McGregor’s St George Illawarra future, Dean Pay being under pressure at Canterbury PLUS John Bateman’s injury and what it means for the Canberra Raiders’ premiership hopes
Anthony Griffin
Former Brisbane, Penrith coach
Was dramatically cut adrift as Penrith coach late in 2018 despite being on track for a finals appearance. Has a very strong coaching record, making the finals in each of his three full seasons at Penrith and three of his four years at Brisbane before being replaced by Wayne Bennett.
NRL games coached: 173 — Won 96, Lost 76, Drawn 1 (55.5%)
Neil Henry
Former Cowboys, Canberra, Titans coach
Highly experienced coach who led all his three teams to finals appearances. Fell out with the Gold Coast marquee Jarryd Hayne at the Titans before parting ways with the club in 2017. Most recently has been coach of the Junior Kangaroos.
NRL games coached: 248 — Won 108, Lost 139, Drawn 1 (43.5%)
Todd Payten
Warriors assistant coach
Has served a long apprenticeship first at his former club the Wests Tigers before spending five years at the Cowboys as part of their premiership-winning coaching staff. Joined the Warriors last year. Learnt his trade playing under Tim Sheens at the Tigers. Highly regarded as a future NRL coach.
Steve Price
Head coach Warrington
Kicking goals in the UK Super League, Price has matured and developed immensely since being appointed head coach of the Dragons in 2012 at the age of 34.
The defensive coach for Cronulla in their 2016 premiership season, Price led Warrington to victory in last year’s Challenge Cup Final.
NRL games coached: 58 — Won 22, Lost 36 (37.9%)
Jason Ryles
Storm assistant coach
Ryles, who played for St George-Illawarra, the Roosters and the Storm as well as Super League side Catalans, is leaving Melbourne in November to work for England rugby union coach Eddie Jones as the national side’s skills coach.
The move is all part of his learnings to become an NRL coach and remains deeply connected to the Dragons through his close mateship with Paul McGregor, Shaun Timmins and Mark Riddell.
Geoff Toovey
Former Manly grand final coach
Had terrific success at his former club Manly, leading them to a premiership decider in his first season. Despite a 58 per cent winning record, was shown the door at the end of 2015. Hasn’t landed a major coaching gig since, but did have a short stint coaching Bradford in the English lower tier. Has been out of the coaching game for a while, which will count against him.
NRL games coached: 105 — Won 61, Lost 43, Drawn 1 (58.1%)
Shaun Wane
England coach
One of the most decorated coaches in English Super League history who is craving a crack at the NRL. Wane won three Super League titles with Wigan in seven seasons, the most recent in 2018 — his final season at the club. This year he replaced Wayne Bennett as England coach on a two-year deal.
Dean Young
St George-Illawarra assistant coach
The good oil suggests the son of Dragons football club board member Craig Young is the frontrunner to step up should Paul McGregor be moved on.
While he’s been on the Dragons NRL coaching staff since 2015, the risk with Young is that the Red V would be appointing a rookie coach with no external experience in a time of crisis.