Hull FC Embark on Head Coach Search After Tony Smith’s Departure
The Hull FC faithful find themselves in unfamiliar territory as the club navigates the search for a new head coach following Tony Smith’s departure last month. The season has started in disappointing fashion for the Black & Whites, with their solitary victory coming against London Broncos and a record-breaking number of points conceded to kick off the campaign.
A host of names have been mentioned as potential successors, with Paul Rowley emerging as the only known legitimate target. However, the Salford Red Devils boss opted to remain at the AJ Bell Stadium, much to the surprise of many who believed Hull were prepared to dig deep financially to bring him to the MKM Stadium.
Speaking on Sky Sports News’ ‘The Verdict’, rugby league pundit Jon Wilkin provided an updated list of contenders for the Hull FC head coaching position. “There’s a few candidates,” Wilkin revealed. “Brian McDermott has been mentioned, but he’s also been linked to the South Sydney job just today, so I’m not sure. For people who don’t know, he’s coaching over at Newcastle in the NRL at the minute.”
Wilkin also highlighted the names of Dean Young, currently an assistant coach at St. George Illawarra Dragons, and Chad Randall, who serves in a similar role at the Canterbury Bulldogs. “But we’ve been told that they’re looking for an English, British coach, and when you’re looking at that, maybe Lee Briers, maybe Danny McGuire.”
“McDermott, a former Super League mainstay, boasts an impressive resume, having won four Grand Finals, a League Leaders’ Shield, back-to-back Challenge Cups and the World Club Challenge during his time at the helm of Leeds Rhinos.”
However, his recent endeavors have not replicated the same level of success, with mixed spells at Toronto Wolfpack and Featherstone Rovers. Nevertheless, his work as an assistant coach with the Newcastle Knights in the NRL has earned him praise and even links to the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ top job.
As for the other names mentioned, Young and Randall have carved out respectable careers as assistant coaches in the NRL, while Briers and McGuire present intriguing options with their deep roots in British rugby league. Briers, a former Warrington and Wigan coach, now serves as an attacking coach for the Brisbane Broncos and as an assistant for the England national team. McGuire, an iconic figure as a player for Leeds Rhinos, has gained valuable experience as an interim head coach for Hull KR and currently holds an assistant role at Castleford Tigers.
The Hull FC faithful eagerly await the announcement of their new leader, hopeful that the right candidate can steer the club back to the success they have grown accustomed to in recent years.
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