Another Newcastle Knights coach contender out of running

It’s a virtual one-man race to replace Nathan Brown in Newcastle after another leading contender knocked back a shot to take over as coach of the club.

Jason Ryles with Storm coach Craig Bellamy. Picture: Colleen Petch

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Storm assistant coach Jason Ryles has knocked back a shot at replacing Nathan Brown at the Newcastle Knights.

Ryles informed Knights administration this morning that he is committed to the Storm and was not in a position to be interviewed for the head coaching role.

The highly-respected assistant coach was on a short-list to replace Brown.

Ryles is the second leading candidate to withdraw from the race to coach Newcastle. Craig Fitzgibbon was on top of Newcastle’s wish list but the Roosters assistant coach distanced himself from joining the post.

Ryles’ omission from the candidates list today leaves Roosters assistant Adam O’Brien as a virtual last-man standing.

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Jason Ryles with Storm coach Craig Bellamy. Picture: Colleen Petch

While O’Brien looks set for the Newcastle post it hasn’t gone down well with his current club.

The Sydney Roosters are so angry at the possibility of O’Brien joining the Knights, he could be immediately sacked if he decides to take over from Brown.

LISTEN! In this week’s episode of the Matty Johns Podcast, Matty, Kenty and Finchy look at the challenge confronting the Knights, name their team of the decade and ask who wins an NRL coaches fight night.

Subscribe to the Matty Johns podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

Originally published as Another Newcastle Knights coach contender out of running