Hull FC Finally Find Replacement for Tony Smith with Brisbane Broncos Coach John Cartwright
In a move that ends a six-week wait, Hull FC have officially appointed Brisbane Broncos assistant John Cartwright as their new head coach, reports from down under have confirmed. The appointment comes after the club parted ways with Tony Smith following a dismal start to the season that saw the Black and Whites win just a single game.
Despite the change in leadership, Hull FC’s fortunes are yet to turn around, with the team continuing their losing streak, including a recent defeat to the winless London Broncos. However, the news of Cartwright’s impending arrival at the MKM Stadium brings a sense of direction to the club, though it’s not as straightforward as it seems.
Cartwright, who is perhaps best known for his decade-long tenure as the head coach of the Gold Coast Titans, is set to join Hull FC in 2025, meaning he will remain with the Brisbane Broncos for the remainder of the 2024 season. This could pave the way for Simon Grix to continue as the interim head coach, with Francis Cummings as his assistant, for the rest of the year.
“Cartwright has ‘clinched a deal’ with Hull FC, which will see him contracted until the end of the 2027 season.”
The 58-year-old Australian brings a wealth of experience, despite not being a head coach for the past decade, having served as an assistant at the Broncos since 2021.
The reports of Cartwright’s appointment come as a relief for the club’s new Director of Rugby, Richie Myler, who can now focus on other aspects of the team’s rebuilding process, with the head coach position finally secured for the 2025 season.
🔗 Source
