Hull FC to Appoint New Head Coach After Tony Smith’s Departure
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Following the departure of Tony Smith as Hull FC’s head coach, the Black and Whites are now searching for a new leader to take the helm. Smith became the first Super League coach to face the axe in 2024 after a nightmare start to the season, with just one win and a club-record number of points conceded so far.
While there’s a sense within the Hull FC fanbase that Smith was dealt a poor hand and not solely to blame for the team’s struggles, the club’s new structure, with Richie Myler arriving as Director, could attract a number of notable candidates to the vacant role. However, the recent rejection of an approach by Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley may indicate that the perception of Hull FC is still not the best, despite the changes behind the scenes.
Nevertheless, the opportunity to lead a storied Super League club like Hull FC could prove tempting for several up-and-coming British coaches. Names such as Danny McGuire, Brian McDermott, Danny Ward, Richard Horne, Lee Briers, and Simon Grix have all been mentioned as potential targets for the Black and Whites.
McGuire, the current assistant at Castleford Tigers, is an iconic figure in British rugby league, having won multiple titles with Leeds Rhinos as a player. His interim stint as Hull KR’s head coach in 2022 showcased his potential to step up to a permanent role.
McDermott, a vastly experienced coach with a championship-winning pedigree at Leeds, is now an assistant at Newcastle Knights and could see this as an opportunity to return to the Super League spotlight.
Ward, the former London Broncos and Castleford Tigers head coach, is currently an assistant at Hull KR, but his recent success in guiding the Broncos to promotion may have caught the attention of the Hull FC hierarchy.
Horne, a long-serving Hull FC player who has since gained coaching experience with Doncaster RLFC, could be an intriguing option, though his lack of Super League head coaching experience may give the club pause.
Briers, the former Warrington star, has been touted as a top target, having joined the Brisbane Broncos and England coaching setups, suggesting a desire for a new challenge.
Finally, Simon Grix, the current Hull FC assistant who has head coaching experience with Halifax Panthers, could provide a safe and familiar option for the club as they navigate the search for their next leader.
Whichever direction Hull FC choose to go, the new head coach will face the task of turning around the club’s fortunes and restoring the pride of the Black and Whites’ faithful.
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