The men most likely to fill NRL coaching vacancies

Two months into the NRL season and the pressure on coaches for results is like never before. David Riccio reveals the resumes of the candidates waiting for their turn in the hot seat.

Life as an NRL coach can be brutal and short, for every Wayne Bennett or Craig Bellamy there are a plethora of coaches whose tenures last for far less time.

These are the coaches waiting in the wings.

KRISTIAN WOOLF – St Helens coach

Current coach of St Helens and Tonga. Targeted by Wayne Bennett to become an assistant coach at The Dolphins next season with the promise of taking over from Bennett in a few years. Woolf is yet to commit as he aims to win back-to-back premierships with St Helens.

St Helens head coach Kristian Woolf. Picture: Tony O'Brien/Getty Images

PAUL GREEN – Former Qld State of Origin coach

The firm favourite to take over the Broncos should a decision be made on Kevin Walters. A Brisbane boy, Green wants to coach in the NRL again after standing down as Queensland coach last year. Green’s allies claim his coaching development through the Roosters system has instilled a laser focus towards attention to detail which, interestingly, is a criticism of the Broncos.

JOSH HANNAY – Sharks assistant coach

The former Cowboys and current Sharks assistant coach boasts an increasing reputation as an elite man-manager having held Cronulla together through their turmoil last year only to miss the finals on for-and-against. Hand-picked by Billy Slater to help coach the Maroons this year, Hannay’s strength is his clarity that his players have towards a game plan.

CAMERON CIRALDO – Panthers assistant coach

Off-contract as Panthers assistant coach at the end of this season. Ciraldo has been targeted by almost every club that has made a coach change in the NRL over the past few years. Still only 37, Ciraldo appears to be taking the Craig Fitzgibbon approach of waiting for the right opportunity to arise.

Penrith assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo is a man in demand. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

SHANE FLANAGAN – Former premiership-winning coach, Dragons list manager

Like Green, the former Cronulla coach knows what it takes to win a premiership. Thrives on building a roster, as proven at the Sharks prior to their 2016 glory, Flanagan is defence-focused and importantly, still has close ties to players and player managers, due to his current role as the Dragons list manager.

JASON RYLES – Roosters assistant coach

In the first of a three-year deal as an assistant coach to the Roosters, Ryles, 43, continues to build his coaching resume under the game’s best mentors having already worked at the Melbourne Storm as an assistant coach (2016-2021) to Craig Bellamy. Continually linked to any future job at the Dragons or as Bellamy’s replacement.

JOHN MORRIS – Rabbitohs assistant coach

The right-hand man to Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou, Morris is a key figure within the South Sydney inner-sanctum given his previous NRL coaching experience at the Sharks. Showed his promise as a coach in steering Cronulla to back-to-back finals appearances (2019-2020) and has previously been linked with a return to the NRL with Wests Tigers, being an ex-Tigers player.

BILLY SLATER – Qld State of Origin coach

The champion fullback enters the coaching furnace for the first time this year as Queensland Origin boss. Revered by the game’s best judges as deeply analytical in breaking down the opposition and with an extreme attention to detail. So much so, some have tipped him to replace Craig Bellamy at the Storm.

DEAN YOUNG – Cowboys assistant coach

A future NRL coach in the eyes of many having progressed through the coaching ladder since his retirement as a player in 2012. Young got a taste of NRL coaching when he took over the Dragons for the final six matches of 2020 – winning two – after Paul McGregor was moved on. Boasts an attention to detail – just as he did as a player.

PAUL McGREGOR – NSW Origin assistant coach, Eels coaching consultant

The longest-serving coach of the St George Illawarra Dragons – 151 games for 70 wins and two finals campaigns. Hardworking and respected, he still has aspirations to coach in the NRL. Has replaced Craig Fitzgibbon on the NSW Origin coaching staff, opening up relationships with the best players in the game.

STEVE PRICE – Sharks assistant coach

Back in NRL-land after four years coaching Warrington, where he led the Wolves to victory in the 2019 Challenge Cup Final. Former NRL coach of the Dragons and defensive coach for Cronulla in their 2016 premiership season, Price is back in the Shire as a major voice of experience for Craig Fitzgibbon, in his rookie year.

Originally published as The men most likely to fill NRL coaching vacancies