Paul McGregor’s time as coach of the St George-Illawarra Dragons will come to an end after he was told by the club he wasn’t guaranteed to continue past this season.
McGregor spoke to Dragons CEO Ryan Webb ahead of a board meeting next week and resigned after being told his position wasn’t assured for 2021. Friday night’s clash with Parramatta will be his last game in charge.
The Sydney Morning Herald’s Andrew Webster originally reported the Dragons board gave McGregor “no alternative but to fall on his sword” on Wednesday night.
A statement released by the club confirmed the coach would depart “amicably”, with Webb claiming McGregor would “forever be a part of the Dragons family.”
“The decision to part ways with Paul was one that nobody took lightly … The club will now turn its focus to establishing the crucial process of appointing a new head coach for the 2021 season and beyond,” he said.
Dean Young will assume the interim coaching role until the conclusion of the season. Webb stated that Craig Young – Dean’s father and a member of the Dragons board – excused himself from decision-making regarding Dean’s appointment and would take a voluntary leave of absence from the board while Dean was coach.
Despite being handed a contract extension early last year, McGregor has failed to get the squad to perform to expectations during his tenure, with high-profile players like Ben Hunt and Corey Norman failing to live up to their pay packets and emerging youngsters not fulfilling their potential – and in some cases just not given much time on the field.
The coach came close to being shown the exit earlier in the year on the back of a winless four-game start to the season, but despite being the last team to pick up a win in 2020 McGregor was spared the axe.
Despite a string of improved performances since, the club’s patience has finally run out on the back of another three-game losing streak. The Dragons currently sit in 12th, three wins out of the top eight, with three of their four wins of the season coming against the Titans, Bulldogs and injury-ravaged Sea Eagles.
McGregor took over at St George back in 2014 and managed just a 46 per cent record during his time in charge, overseeing 69 wins and 81 losses. He’s the fourth head-coaching casualty of the season, following Stephen Kearney at the Warriors, Paul Green at the Cowboys and Dean Pay at the Bulldogs.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Do you think the team will lift for McGregor? I don’t think so. Parramatta will belt is by 30 points
Andrew
Roar Pro
Totally mate I couldn’t agree more. The selection panel & Flanagan’s expanded role were brought in to support McGregor win some games. I wrote at the time that is was unworkable. I’m just thankful the saga is finally over. & we can all move on.
Paul
Roar Guru
We won't know till some time next season. I'm sure all will have an opinion about who should get the job, but until the team actually plays under that coach,we're not to know if the choice is a good or bad one. Right now, as the Americans would say,it's a crap shoot.
andrew
Roar Rookie
What galls me is listening to McGregor saying he didn't like accepting the losses when he wasn't responsible for selecting the team. They only brought in the selection team a little while ago because of Saints shocking form and McGregor's pigheaded refusal to give the young up and comers a run. Glad to see the back of Mary,good riddance.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Nooooooooo!
Wayne Turner
Guest
YAY - About time. New coach for 2021,must not have played for them. Eg: Hire Geoff Toovey.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
It’s just what the young athletes of today need. A 40 something year old bloke blasting bangers before practice.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Come on mike. How many chances can a bloke have before he gets the tap?
Andrew
Roar Pro
Actually I just a had a thought why the news was announced today. Obviously the CEO & Board had decided to move on from McGregor, Ryan Webb had been negotiating the exit strategy with McGregor. It was done so that next weeks board meeting could be spent evaluating potential first grade coaches. Makes sense.
mbp
Guest
i think the dragons in the last 6 weeks have been going in the right direction. the back line has become electric. the forward depth has been a bit thin....too many soft tries to opposing teams. the defense needs work...! i want to thank mary for his efforts. maybe the dragons did not achieve a lot during his time as coach.... but mary is a dragons man and has given 100%. thank you mary...! mark. dragons fan.
danwain
Roar Rookie
That's the biggest worry here, that we rush to make a decision, and with the way that place has been run the last 20 years, why should we have any confidence they will make the right decision.
danwain
Roar Rookie
Yeah it was a weird decision, but it isn't the nail on the coffin with the dressing room, the entire comprises committee had to sign off on it
Adam
Roar Guru
Sorry, that really was a horrible thing to suggest :unhappy:
Rellum
Roar Guru
He seems the perfect fit.
Andrew
Roar Pro
I’m predicting Parramatta smack us by 30 points. No way the team lifts for him. The only people happier than the fans to see the back of McGregor are the players
terrykidd
Roar Pro
So Mary has resigned presumably that means no contract pay out and saves dollars. What chance the NRL will have a change of heart and allow Flanagan to be a head coach again? Hopefully Dean Young will give some young guys fair minutes and Corey Norman will be playing his last top grade game ..... give young Sailor a chance and leave Norman off the team sheet .... in fact give him a tap on the shoulder and tell him he is free to look elsewhere. Same for Hunt.
Tony
Roar Guru
Yeah, I appreciate that Bennett coached the team to a premiership 10 years ago but I think that the game has now moved on and left him behind.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
That was almost everyone with loyalty to Wayne. I think he believed he would make a connection with the youngsters with his musical training style and be revered. Anyway, regardless.. he hasn't much longer either. Hopefully before Green starts coveting the Dragons job.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
How many of you will be changing tips now?
Nat
Roar Rookie
We couldn't wish that on anyone. DPS, at least your young blokes would get a go - after he lets every other player with more than 20 games go.