NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has signed a one-year contract extension but flagged his desire to depart the Super Rugby franchise after the 2020 season.
NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson wants to map out a succession plan as he prepares for a likely exit after the 2020 Super Rugby season, also outlining his vision to stop crippling raids on talent.
Gibson, who took over as head coach from Michael Cheika after the 2015 campaign, has signed a one-year contract extension that runs until the end of the 2020 season.
The former All Blacks centre, who played 19 Tests, is on track to match Ewen McKenzie’s record (2004-2008) as the Waratahs’ longest-serving head coach.
Regardless of results in the next two seasons, Gibson has declared he plans on finishing up after five seasons in charge.
Rather than nominate a Super title, Gibson highlighted the importance of stability and fighting back in Sydney’s code war while detailing the legacy he wants to leave.
“The ideal scenario is that we’re vibrant and strong every year, Gibson told reporters.
“No reason we shouldn’t be strong every year. Given the talent pool and resources available.
“We need to continue to do a better job of trying to retain all the talent that comes through our schools and clubs pathways, and gets picked off by other codes.
“We’re doing a better job of retaining a lot of that. We’ve seen that with Will Harris … who was in hot demand with rugby league clubs.”
Gibson spent three years at NSW as an assistant coach then was promoted when Cheika took on the pressure-laden top job with the Wallabies.
The 43-year-old, who noted Tuesday’s revelation was based on family reasons, hopes there is another seamless transition.
“Hopefully (the Waratahs) have a successor within our own coaching ranks that continues that stability in the club,” he said.
NSW came under pressure to sack Gibson during a miserable four-win season in 2017 but his charges fared much better last year, reaching the semi-finals, and look even stronger this year following some key signings.
“We had a couple of dud years, pretty lean results and they stuck with me,” he said.
“Now the team is in a reasonable position in terms of depth and talent.
“We’re going to go through a period where we’ve got to rebuild that after the World Cup, if we sustain the losses we believe we will.
“I’ve been very open that I want to bring the next generation through.”
A return home looms as the most obvious step in 2021 but Gibson is keeping his options open.
“It’s a very global game. Lots of opportunity … I’ll take wherever it goes and serve rugby,” he said.
The Waratahs’ Super Rugby campaign kicks off on Saturday night at Brookvale Oval against the Hurricanes.
ForwardsWinMatches
Guest
Geez, a lot of negative press here. Gibson is basically saying we need to cherish the pathways and re-establish rugby as a going concern in this state. I may not rate him as a great coach, but his intent is good (and genuine) and he seems like a steady hand on the tiller. Good luck to him.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Is Cron nearly certain to get the gig ?
CUW
Roar Rookie
@ Train Without A Station wonder what the goal is for the team /coach ? for eg in English footy - some teams aim to win the EPL , while others aim to finish among top 4 and automatic qualification for European championships. his is a very realistic target given the money and therefore squads involved in EPl . sometimes the clubs know they just cant compete with the big boys.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
We are all ignoring Whittaker who apparently has a pretty impressive resume and track record (from reading some accounts, not first hand knowledge). Could be in the running after 2 years in t he fold. Lets see who excels the most. Forwards or backs! :)
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Mate I agree. If you’ve got it and are prepared to keep learning and developing then go for it. My biggest beef with the Tahs over the last few years is that none of the established players seem to have done anything to develop their deficiencies and I blame a lot of that on Gibson (and the individual of course). I think it is a real failure of his and one that should not have been acceptable.
Bush Turkey
Roar Rookie
Correct, but he was outstanding with Norths, and turned the mentality of that side around in 2 years from bottom of the table to back to back finals with one win. I think we get bogged down by "well they have only been a coach for this long, or they only coached this standard of team' its not like he has come out of the wilderness, he has a history of turning bad teams good, the Rays did not win more than 2 games in the first two year of the NRC, and then went to the semi final in his first year. The guy does not accept average (listen to his Alan Jones interview post SS win, and his foxsports podcast after his semi final lose, great listen and he is rugby mad) Brisbane put faith in Brad Thorn and he was only an NRC coach Pre Reds gig. I wish Gibson good luck but I don't think we are going to see much improvement under his guidance and I think its gonna be a tough two years for the fans (myself included)
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Right call. People talk of Cron but he's been a professional coach for 1 season. This gives Cron close to 3 years to show if he's up to it.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
5 years is a reasonably long tenure too.
Bush Turkey
Roar Rookie
That's presuming Cron does not get headhunted by another SR franchise, Europe or Japan, before then, by the end of the contract he will have done 3 years as an assistant, having seen his interviews and followed his journey with Norths in Shute Shield, its very clear an assistant coach he is certainly not. Can't see him taking over from Gibson now, he will be long gone by then.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
The 2020 Tahs will be a vastly different squad. Even though I don't agree with everything he's done, I think having some continuity will ease the transition. It also gives Cron another years experience before he likely starts putting his hand up for the main gig. Though it'd be nice to have a head coach come in where this isn't his first crack at being a head coach of a major team.
jeznez
Roar Guru
This is his fourth year in charge, if he hasn't got them firing then he should be looking.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Yeah maybe. But if Tahs aren't firing by late in this season, he'll start looking for another gig.
jeznez
Roar Guru
It extends him until the end of next season. Two more years in charge gives him a pretty reasonable amount of certainty I would have thought.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Only a 1 year extension? The Tahs hierarchy are in the move. Jezz Gibson should start wearing a neck brace, so be can't look over his shoulder. I sort of thought he was going OK