James Tedesco has labelled Craig Fitzgibbon one of the best coaches he’s had as the Sydney Roosters assistant appears set to land his first NRL head coaching job with Cronulla.
A messy situation is unfolding at the Sharks after club bosses met with the management of John Morris on Monday to discuss the coach’s future beyond the end of his contract.
It’s understood no resolution was reached with Morris and Fitzgibbon is on the verge of agreeing to a deal with the club for 2022 and beyond.
While drama surrounds the treatment of Morris after taking the undermanned Sharks to the finals for the past two seasons, Fitzgibbon has been backed by Roosters stars to bring success to any NRL team.
The 43-year-old has been the mastermind behind the Roosters’ defensive systems as an assistant since 2012 and has also been a part of the NSW State of Origin camps for the past two years.
“He’s one of the best coaches that I’ve had and he’s the assistant coach,” Roosters and Blues fullback Tedesco said on Monday.
“I’ve learnt so much from him.
“He’s got that presence as a coach where everyone listens and wants to do their job for him.
“That’s just how he presents himself and how he talks.
“He’s done our D for a number of years now and he makes everyone want to defend for him and not let him down.
“He’s a great coach and a great bloke and I’m not surprised if clubs are chasing him.”
Earlier this year Fitzgibbon was awarded life membership of the Roosters, having been a part of the club as a player and coach since 2000.
He’s been considered one of the best up-and-coming coaches in the NRL, but knocked back an offer from St George Illawarra to replace Paul McGregor last year.
Fitzgibbon’s priority was to see out his contract with the Roosters, which expires this season.
Vastly-experienced Roosters star Brett Morris said Fitzgibbon had earned a shot at an NRL head coaching role.
“Fitzy’s been ready for quite some time,” he said.
“He’s highly regarded here at the Roosters and at the Blues as well.
“He’s a very smart man, very passionate about coaching.”
The Roosters have been known for their highly effective defensive systems since Trent Robinson took over in 2013, helping to win three premierships in that time.
It’s thought Fitzgibbon could have the same impact at the Sharks, who have made the finals for the past two seasons but haven’t challenged for a title.
Sharks half Shaun Johnson on Sunday launched a passionate defence of Morris, saying he’s been thrown into the deep end with a reduced salary cap and mass injuries but hasn’t missed the finals yet in his first head caoching job.
“You look what he’s done, he hasn’t had any control over the roster, he’s been in a situation where our cap has been shot the past few years and he’s just made do and got us all on board,” Johnson told Fox League.
Opposed Session
Roar Rookie
Will Josh Hannah struggle to find a job after this? 2 in 2 years
JVGO
Guest
And he appears confident he'll get another gig.
JVGO
Guest
Getting the Assistant Coach job at the Sharks is one of the best ways of getting a heading coaching job in the NRL....as Bomber well knows. I even used to rent an apartment at Cronulla to Peter Sharpe back in ASADA days. He had a heck of a year back them.....but that was enough he reckoned. He was a top bloke just like Bomber. Anyway Bomber did pretty good down thrown in the deep end.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
One interesting thing he did say was the lack of certainty around the coach for next year cost the club Matt Burton.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
I guess it’ll come out eventually.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Said ‘ pretty harsh’..nothing more. Keeping out of it.
Renegade
Roar Guru
No, we all see it the same way. But Cronulla 3-peat on its way now :stoked:... who said high expectations?
Renegade
Roar Guru
I must have missed it – Was he offering a strong opinion on it? Morris no longer coach effective immediately, Josh Hannah to be in charge for reminder of 2021…. well, hard to see this not derailing the season, but hopefully the team keep digging in. Fitzy has knocked back a few gigs and taken this one, so he knows there is something good here with the squad assembled at the Sharks… his job is to deliver a premiership now, great if he does it in year one :thumbup: did I mention expectations are high ????
Emcie
Roar Guru
I really don't get it. They seem to be trading a rookie coach with a decent track record in some tough years with an unproven rookie coach with massive implied expectations. Is there something I'm missing?
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Gal's been quiet.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Well it appears to be confirmed that Fitzgibbon will be the coach in 2022 on a 3 year deal. It’s premiership or bust in those 3 years.... in terms of measuring success, nothing short of the provan-summons trophy will do.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
They all said the same about Jason Taylor, Trent Barrett, Neil Henry, etc - everyone is a great coach until they actually coach.
Opposed Session
Roar Rookie
What do decision makers at NRL clubs really know about coaching?????? Most CEO’s or board members run businesses not the football programs. Therefore they wouldn’t know good coaching if it jumped up and bit them on the bum! Cracking story about Damian Hardwick missing out on the Essendon job years back cause his current employer at the time, banned him from taking his work laptop. He hurriedly put a presentation together on a borrowed laptop using a different operating system. Because it was clunky the board took 10mins to decide and gave the job to the other guy. Hardwick now has won 3 premierships since taking the tigers job. What elite club in any world sport wouldn’t want 3 premierships in a decade?
JVGO
Guest
What a saga! It must have lasted 3 or 4 days now.
I Am The Walrus
Roar Rookie
Morris will land on his feet. And looking at the way this thing is playing out, he is better off.
mushi
Roar Guru
And it's not like Tedesco said "We should axe robbo to keep fitz."
mushi
Roar Guru
A new GM though typically gets a grace period to make changes. Then they get assessed based on what they've done with the assets at hand. The CEO as suncorp doesn't get fired for failing to make the same profit as CBA.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Apparently Fitz and Ciraldo are good mates and dreamed of a coaching gig together
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Maybe he needed Baz from Panthers - an attacking coach...