Who should be the new Knights coach for 2027?
- Thread starter frankLauda
- Start date
frankLauda
Tony Butterfield
I have added him to the list.
frankLauda
Tony Butterfield
And he would have learnt NOT what to do.
frankLauda
Tony Butterfield
The argument with going with coaches who have NRL experience who have been sacked is they have the NRL experience compared to a Rookie coach who has no NRL experience. That’s the gamble.
We have been burnt now with AOB, so the lean towards a more experienced coach e.g Brad Arthur and other on the list is the decision.
It’s looks like Ciraldo and Webster have cemented themselves as long term coach’s. So the risk is valid. But we screwed up with sticking with AOB for so long.
We don’t know how McDermott will go but we have that luxury to see for the rest of the year.
We have been burnt now with AOB, so the lean towards a more experienced coach e.g Brad Arthur and other on the list is the decision.
It’s looks like Ciraldo and Webster have cemented themselves as long term coach’s. So the risk is valid. But we screwed up with sticking with AOB for so long.
We don’t know how McDermott will go but we have that luxury to see for the rest of the year.
KPGreatness
Todd Bates
I agree that’s what I’ve been trying to get across, we have a great opportunity to try before we buy so let’s trial him and see how he goes.
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
I favour Brad Arthur because:
- He’s experienced, still young, and had a winning record as a head coach.
- His best rosters looked like fringe contender rosters based on the cattle they had and they were fringe contenders during that time. Just that level below Penrith/Easts/Storm/Souths. So the very worst thing you can say about his performance is that his teams never overperformed - but nor did they underperform.
- He inherited a pretty bleh situation from his predecessor and built them into a side which had 5 out of 6 seasons with a winning % of 58 or higher during his best period.
- He kept the Parramatta job for 10 years. A club with a notoriously dysfunctional board that previously went through coaches like used underwear.
- He never lost the playing group - in fact, there was a mini player revolt when he was sacked. This includes keeping the playing group together through a salary cap scandal, so if we want to try the “intentionally cheat the salary cap then do creative accounting to keep the team together” route, he’s a good guy to have on board.
- He favours an attacking play style in which players are encouraged to open up the field and his halves play run first & follow their instincts - almost every season under him his teams were near the top of the comp in offloads, tries down short sides & tries where the final play the ball before the try was scored was more than 50 metres out. This is the only kind of footy that makes sense to me when you lack a dominant #7 or a good long kicking game.
- He’s a country boy.
- We’re trying to get the best out of Dylan Brown.
- He’s experienced, still young, and had a winning record as a head coach.
- His best rosters looked like fringe contender rosters based on the cattle they had and they were fringe contenders during that time. Just that level below Penrith/Easts/Storm/Souths. So the very worst thing you can say about his performance is that his teams never overperformed - but nor did they underperform.
- He inherited a pretty bleh situation from his predecessor and built them into a side which had 5 out of 6 seasons with a winning % of 58 or higher during his best period.
- He kept the Parramatta job for 10 years. A club with a notoriously dysfunctional board that previously went through coaches like used underwear.
- He never lost the playing group - in fact, there was a mini player revolt when he was sacked. This includes keeping the playing group together through a salary cap scandal, so if we want to try the “intentionally cheat the salary cap then do creative accounting to keep the team together” route, he’s a good guy to have on board.
- He favours an attacking play style in which players are encouraged to open up the field and his halves play run first & follow their instincts - almost every season under him his teams were near the top of the comp in offloads, tries down short sides & tries where the final play the ball before the try was scored was more than 50 metres out. This is the only kind of footy that makes sense to me when you lack a dominant #7 or a good long kicking game.
- He’s a country boy.
- We’re trying to get the best out of Dylan Brown.
Frank McWilliams
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
If, IF, we move Obi on immediately then the McDermott as caretaker makes sense but feel they might just give a notification that his time is up at season end
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Yep 100%, so we need to act now.
frankLauda
Tony Butterfield
So check currently John Morris is defence coach at the Tigers you just got 60 put on them by Melbourne last week. 
Rupert Murdoch
Jason Martin
Watch the Board ****e the bed with this oppourtunity staring right at them Billy.
frankLauda
Tony Butterfield
I have no idea why Brian McDermott would not step in straight away of AOB goes.
BETTERTHANLEGO
David Fairleigh
Experienced coach options;
Arthur - took over a club in possibly a worse position than we are currently. Had to deal with an unstable board, yet was able to keep the boardroom stuff away from the players, so they performed on game day. He knows what to get us from bottom of the ladder to top 4. Things just got stale in the end after 10 years
Morris - took over the Sharks with plenty going on off the field. Had them performing exceptionally well. Was hard done by getting sacked. The reason used was he couldn’t attract players, so that would be an issue for us. Went from playing with half the team to coaching them and handled that transition very well
McDermott - how many caretaker coaches have stayed on the following season as head coach and succeeded? Not too many, if any come to mind….. so I’d rule him out. It’s hard to go from assistant coach to head coach as assistant coaches traditionally softer messaging on players then head coaches and players don’t get the change in dynamic. Happy for him to stay as an assistant
Walters - I think he is more your representative coach, than an NRL coach
Hollbrooke - not all that excited with what he achieved at the Titans. Very similar to AOB. Also can’t see the Roosters doing us any favours letting him leave if he’s still under contract with them given the Dom situation and they also weren’t too happy when we got AOB
Toovey - probably been out of coaching too long, but I’ve always liked his tenacity. He would hold the players accountable. Dealt with a lot of issues at Manly with board, playing group etc. Was unfairly sacked so they could bring Dez back. Probably ideal for assistant coach role with inexperienced head coach
Maninga - is more your man manager coach. Sets the standards, but the assistant would come up with the game plan. He would definitely hold the players to account. A combo of Maninga and Burgess would be perfect, but I think the NRL has them penciled in for the Perth job
Barrett and Demetriu - no way, never, no, no, no
Inexperienced coach options (all will need an experienced assistant coach to help them out);
Slater - possibly the best option, but is probably waiting on Bellamy to retire and take over Melbourne
Willie Peters - I don’t know much about him. Sounds like he could be good. Would definitely need an experienced assistant coach to help out
Burgess - would be great, but I think is a packed deal with Maninga
Wallace - has got good raps on him. Comes from a great system
Josh Hannah - I’ve heard good things about him. He was mentioned in the Parra coach search. He may be waiting to take the Cowboys job though
Ideally I’d want the Maninga/Burgess option, but can’t see it happening
I’d probably go Arthur’s, Morris as experienced options
Wallace or Hannay from the inexperienced options and try getting Toovey as their assistant
Arthur - took over a club in possibly a worse position than we are currently. Had to deal with an unstable board, yet was able to keep the boardroom stuff away from the players, so they performed on game day. He knows what to get us from bottom of the ladder to top 4. Things just got stale in the end after 10 years
Morris - took over the Sharks with plenty going on off the field. Had them performing exceptionally well. Was hard done by getting sacked. The reason used was he couldn’t attract players, so that would be an issue for us. Went from playing with half the team to coaching them and handled that transition very well
McDermott - how many caretaker coaches have stayed on the following season as head coach and succeeded? Not too many, if any come to mind….. so I’d rule him out. It’s hard to go from assistant coach to head coach as assistant coaches traditionally softer messaging on players then head coaches and players don’t get the change in dynamic. Happy for him to stay as an assistant
Walters - I think he is more your representative coach, than an NRL coach
Hollbrooke - not all that excited with what he achieved at the Titans. Very similar to AOB. Also can’t see the Roosters doing us any favours letting him leave if he’s still under contract with them given the Dom situation and they also weren’t too happy when we got AOB
Toovey - probably been out of coaching too long, but I’ve always liked his tenacity. He would hold the players accountable. Dealt with a lot of issues at Manly with board, playing group etc. Was unfairly sacked so they could bring Dez back. Probably ideal for assistant coach role with inexperienced head coach
Maninga - is more your man manager coach. Sets the standards, but the assistant would come up with the game plan. He would definitely hold the players to account. A combo of Maninga and Burgess would be perfect, but I think the NRL has them penciled in for the Perth job
Barrett and Demetriu - no way, never, no, no, no
Inexperienced coach options (all will need an experienced assistant coach to help them out);
Slater - possibly the best option, but is probably waiting on Bellamy to retire and take over Melbourne
Willie Peters - I don’t know much about him. Sounds like he could be good. Would definitely need an experienced assistant coach to help out
Burgess - would be great, but I think is a packed deal with Maninga
Wallace - has got good raps on him. Comes from a great system
Josh Hannah - I’ve heard good things about him. He was mentioned in the Parra coach search. He may be waiting to take the Cowboys job though
Ideally I’d want the Maninga/Burgess option, but can’t see it happening
I’d probably go Arthur’s, Morris as experienced options
Wallace or Hannay from the inexperienced options and try getting Toovey as their assistant
KPGreatness
Todd Bates
I mean literally zero offence but to dismiss a guy with his credentials purely based on obscure history is pretty idiotic to me, especially since his trophy room is miles better than most if not all on your list.
I don’t buy into the “it’s only England” crap because those same people turn around and shout a guy coaching in England or haven’t coached at all.
I do like the Wallace shout though, you did raise some good points about different coaches and separated them by experience makes it easier to read.
frankLauda
Tony Butterfield
So Wallace in the Penrith system? Good player.
Kurriboy
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
The difference between an assistant and a head coach is illustrated perfectly by AOB himself. As an assistant he went to grand finals and once boasted about knowing what it takes to get there. As a head coach....
No offence taken. Just my opinion, I know it’s harsh and there are obviously exceptions
I have no issues with superleague coaches, I just don’t know much about any of them really
Kurriboy
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
And literally nobody is acting like Arthur has a string of premierships, that post was just hyperbole.
But, he does have experience in the NRL and did take Parra to a GF.
I've already said we aren't likely to be instant grand finalists with a new coach. What we need is a coach that can guide us to consistent good performances for the season, and land is in the top 4. And make that the clubs usual performance, play well, be in the hunt for a good finals berth.
The taking your mates job, has there been anything said about this from Arthur, or is this just an assumption? No reason AOB once tapped on the shoulder can't be mature about it and realise it is a coaching job, Arthur needs a coaching job and wish him all the best.
He could help Arthur by giving him the inside scoop on how the club works and the personalities etc.
But, he does have experience in the NRL and did take Parra to a GF.
I've already said we aren't likely to be instant grand finalists with a new coach. What we need is a coach that can guide us to consistent good performances for the season, and land is in the top 4. And make that the clubs usual performance, play well, be in the hunt for a good finals berth.
The taking your mates job, has there been anything said about this from Arthur, or is this just an assumption? No reason AOB once tapped on the shoulder can't be mature about it and realise it is a coaching job, Arthur needs a coaching job and wish him all the best.
He could help Arthur by giving him the inside scoop on how the club works and the personalities etc.