Michael Hagan won the NRL premiership as a first year coach in 2001. This is his advice for the two men trying to emulate that feat in 2022.
The greatest challenge for rookie NRL coaches Craig Fitzgibbon and Jason Demetriou next season may not be coaching itself.
Few first-time mentors have possessed the education and reputations of the new Sharks and Rabbitohs bosses, who completed lengthy apprenticeships as assistants.
Fitzgibbon studied under three-time premiership winner Trent Robinson at the Roosters while Demetriou was Wayne Bennett’s right-hand man for the past five years, following the veteran from Brisbane to South Sydney.
Both Fitzgibbon and Demetriou have long been earmarked as men equipped to thrive in the NRL hot seat. Their football IQ is unquestionable.
But as noted by former Newcastle and Parramatta coach Michael Hagan, who guided the Knights to the 2001 title as a rookie, “nothing quite prepares you for the sort of pressure that you go into”.
Rooster Craig Fitzgibbon during his playing days. Digital Image by Robb Cox © Action Photographics
Reflecting on his own beginnings as a first-grade coach, Hagan said managing the recruitment and salary cap side of things was an arduous task.
“You get a real sense of how big the whole thing is when you take that on,” he told The Roar.
In assuming the reins at Newcastle from Warren Ryan, Hagan soon had to sit at the negotiating table with about 11 off-contract players.
That was “the first piece of the puzzle” in a season that culminated in a 30-24 grand final victory over the Eels.
“There might have been five or six senior players in that [off-contract] group – and that was including Andrew Johns, by the way,” he said.
“And there might have been five or six aspiring players … It was a bit of a mix of both ends of the scale.”
According to Hagan, one trait an effective NRL coach must have is an unflinching honesty.
“In the end, it’s really about making good decisions and having the tough conversations that set the good head coaches apart from all the others,” he said.
“So when you’ve got to tell a player that it’s time for them to consider maybe moving on to England or pull the pin on their career, they’re the tough [conversations].
“Because you know you’ve got the next three or four best kids coming into the system that have got to be remunerated at the right level, otherwise they might leave.
“It’s a real balancing act for a rookie head coach.”
As well as shouldering additional responsibilities, moving up from an assistant coach to the top dog could mean Fitzgibbon and Demetriou redefining their relationships with players.
“Your assistant coach is generally a little bit light-hearted, takes the piss out of the head coach a little bit,” Dragons legend Jamie Soward said.
“And they probably get on with the boys a lot more because the boys are – not scared of the head coach, but you don’t want to be called into the office too many times. It can only mean a number of things.
“That larrikinism that the assistant coach sort of has, I think that’s a bit different when you get to the head coaching role.
“You’ve got to worry about the junior pathways, the next crop coming through, the salary cap. All that kind of stuff that I’m seeing now behind the scenes.”
Then there’s dealing with the scrutiny of the media. While assistants usually fly under the radar, head coaches are fronting up to press conferences and facing the music each week.
“You’ve got to really embrace that and work with it a fair bit, really,” said Hagan, who still has relationships with the media from his early days at the Knights.
“The interest in the game is at an all-time high and you’ve got more social media and media outlets chasing content than ever before.
“It’s part of that. You’ve got to be able to handle that side of it too.”
Soward, who was part of St George Illawarra’s NRL coaching staff this season as a halves consultant under Anthony Griffin, is preparing to make his head coaching debut.
He will guide the Dragons NRLW team when the women’s competition begins in February.
“Being well-prepared, having clear instructions and forming that connection – whether it be on or off the field – is something that I’m going to try and get into my coaching style,” Soward said.
Rookie NRL coaches have achieved varying degrees of success in recent times.
Kevin Walters endured a frustrating season at the Broncos this year while Todd Payten’s first campaign in charge of the Cowboys – after leading the Warriors in an interim capacity – didn’t go to plan as they finished 15th.
Adam O’Brien, meanwhile, pushed Newcastle to the finals in 2020 and backed it up with another finals appearance in 2021. At the Titans, Justin Holbrook’s first two seasons have resulted in improved ninth and eighth placings.
So what can we reasonably expect from Fitzgibbon and Demetriou?
With Fitzgibbon at the helm, there’s anticipation that Cronulla can make a quick return to the playoffs, in part due to marquee recruits Nicho Hynes, Dale Finucane and Cameron McInnes.
Like many astute minds, Soward and Hagan believe Fitzgibbon will succeed.
“Fitzy really took me under his wing when I was at the Roosters [as a player]. He was just a really cool guy to be around. He understood that life balance,” Soward said.
“If I’d had a bad video session, he’d remind me that it’s going to be OK.
“He’s really, really smart, really knowledgeable, and from everyone that’s talked or been around him, really successful in how he communicates to his players.”
Demetriou, meanwhile, is tasked with helping the Rabbitohs go one better after their grand final defeat to the Panthers.
If he can reach the pinnacle at his first attempt, he’ll join the likes of Hagan, Robinson and Phil Gould as a premiership-winning rookie coach.
He’s got Bennett’s ultimate stamp of approval.
“He’s been a wonderful servant to the game and to me personally he’s been a wonderful co-coach,” Bennett said after the grand final.
Regardless of their impressive journeys so far, there’s still likely to be a steep learning curve for the rookie coaching class of 2022.
“It takes a while to get your head around getting all the roles and responsibilities sorted out and also keeping your focus on the job of coaching the team and trying to win your share of football games,” Hagan said.
“That’s the bottom line, isn’t it? That’s what you get judged on.”
mushi
Roar Guru
Unfortunately though it seems we blame the coach if those 3 areas don't deliver.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Nothing says Papi quite like Snowball from “The Secret Life of Pets”. That character shows my “soft” side, funny side and cranky cantankerous side simultaneously. . Currently mushi is beating a drum and on a campaign to get me banned so I might not be around for much longer this off-season. If that happens it depends on how I feel about when or if I come back again. I sat on the sidelines for the entire 2021 season without feeling the urge but then Souths run to the finals tempted me to make a return, (i.e. Return of the Jedi) that was for TB. . Norsemen is an hilarious gem of a series if very rude (and not in a Benny Hill way). The scene with Yarl Varg and Liv “Jackpot Arvid! Jackpot!” :laughing: And how Jarl Varg becomes the dark warlord when he could have gone to Advanced Hair Studios. :laughing: . I’ll give an alternate profile photo some thought. If not this time then perhaps the next.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
I’m merely saying I’d prefer those 3 recent winners of the greatest prize or if not the excitement of idea freshness that Fitzy generates, than the surly one.. who hasn’t won since Darius Boyd was a good footballer. Not his fault his cabinets been empty for 10 years, despite what his previous 2 clubs might say. Jarl Varg is a great character, but so is this one, Ehrlich Bachman, next to Veep, his show one of the funniest ever. How about showing another side of you with a non rabbit profile photo ?
Paul
Roar Guru
"I’ve made this claim plenty of times , that I think the role of the coach is mostly overstated in team performance, " I think it depends entirely what stage of maturity your squad is at, Albo. In the Newcastle example, you're right, Hagan was blessed with some great on-field leaders, which meant he had relatively little to do. Contrast that situation with the teams who are not currently any chance to make the finals and they want far more from their coach. The trick is knowing when to let the players run the show and when the coach needs input.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
A word on the Broncos bombed premiership opportunity in 2015, matth. Everyone thinks of course of Ben Hunt dropping the kick-off to gift the Cowboys the ball in front of the posts. But it was the Broncos last possession with a minute and a half remaining that cost them the game when both Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt want to play expansive football instead of running out the clock and they played hot potato with the football and got burnt. Kyle Feldt came up with a magic play to contain both players and get the ball back for the Cowboys. If the Broncos had just played out the clock and kicked to the Cowboys corner post they would have been premiers. That was a rush of blood by Hunt and Milford, not Bennett's doing.
Redcap
Roar Guru
That's right Matth, Nobody ever told him about the other ledger.
matth
Roar Guru
"That’s not Bennett’s fault though." I'm sure by season's end there will be a healthy dose of "Bennett leaves wreckage behind him" narratives if the Bunnies fall backwards. As though he could turn Reynolds back into a 27 year old to leave him for JD.
matth
Roar Guru
Apparently Bellamy was never involved in the recruitment or financial stuff at all, apparently :laughing: :laughing:
matth
Roar Guru
One thing JD has going for him, is that he has done a bit of media over the past two years to dip his toe in. That might make the transition a bit easier.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Speaking of coaching challenges... i.e. Trent Barrett. Caught on camera: Bulldogs’ huge bid to lure Eels star (Reed Mahoney) as meeting video emerges https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/caught-on-camera-bulldogs-huge-bid-to-lure-eels-star-as-meeting-video-emerges/news-story/dead76b1ba65b54980504f87eceda954
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
You can't blame Bennett for the 2015 and 2021 GF brain snaps that cost his team the premiership in each of those years. I'm also referring to the Latrell Mitchell brain snap as well as Cody Walker's pass selection error that ultimately cost the Bunnies the premiership. Adam Reynolds injured groin was bad timing for a successful premiership campaign. If he was fully fit I am sure he Reynolds would have made that sideline conversion to level the scores and also he would have kicked that 40 metre 2-point field goal. Btw, I'm already missing your Jarl Varg profile photo. That was a classic! :laughing:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Both rookie coaches have a difficult job in 2022. To my mind Jason Demetriou has the much harder assignment. Following in the footsteps of Wayne Bennett, whose Grim Reaper like shadow has taken all coaches who have succeeded him to the coaches graveyard before their time, is an intimidating prospect. To be 2 points and one pass selection short of a premiership only to fall short at the last hurdle sets the bar pretty high for Demetriou with expectations from Souths fans and NRL critics alike. The only way Demetriou can distinguish himself over Bennett at the Rabbitohs is to win the premiership. What an impossible task that is. During his tenure at Redfern Wayne Bennett got Souths to 3 straight prelim finals and to a GF that Souths very nearly won. Demetriou will have to do that without the Rabbitohs skipper, playmaker, kicker and anchor Adam Reynolds. They are also missing rep players Dane Gagai and Jaydn Su'A and 7 other members from the Rabbitohs 30-man squad in 2021. That's kind of like leaving a formula one winning car without an engine for your successor to win a Grand Prix in. That's not Bennett's fault though. Craig Fitzgibbon on the other hand has far less pressure than Demetriou but he has a far weaker roster to work with and few new quality signings that can lift the team from their 7th place finish in 2021 IMO. Given the quality of the sides that finished in front of the Sharks it will be tough for the Sharks to jump ahead of the top 6 teams in 2021. Although I rate Fitzgibbon as a coach, in his coaching career he has only been exposed to one coach and one clubs' systems and culture. Demetriou has benefited from serving his coaching apprenticeship under one of the game's best coaches and has seen Bennett use successful systems and methods across two different clubs. The bottom line... as much credit as we give NRL coaches, they can't really succeed with a mediocre playing squad. That is why the games' top coaches avoid coaching headaches caused by mediocre or inferior rosters. Bellmay, Bennett, Robinson and Cleary wouldn't try to coach the Tigers for example... no wait. Cleary tried that and failed! That is the point. There is a reason why both Bellamy and Robinson are firmly entrenched at their respective clubs and are too scared to dip their coaching toes in the deep end like Wayne Bennett and risk their reputations at a number of different clubs with diverse playing rosters. Instead they prefer to play it safe.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
sorry GB I meant '22, next season... but still no.. how long ago was that Dragon premiership ? 10 years ?
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
"the only 3 I’d want more than Fitzy are Belly, Cleary and Robbo." So you'd give a Gladiator thumbs down :thumbdown: to Wayne Bennett then, souvalis? That's a little harsh isn't it? I get your point though. Better to have a coach who has mates in the media, at NRL HQ and has NRL referees like Grant Atkins and Ashley Klein on his speed dial and Christmas party invitation list. :silly:
Troy Whittaker
Editor
You're right, but the head coach still has to be across everything. Some are probably more hands-on than others, but I'd suggest all are heavily involved in decision-making - which is something you don't necessarily have to worry about as an assistant. All the responsibilities add up. Thanks for reading :happy:
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Looking thru the list of head coaches for '21 as a Shark supporter, the only 3 I'd want more than Fitzy are Belly, Cleary and Robbo. He's quickly cleared the wood, resigned the gun youngsters and strengthened the onfield and off field atmosphere with the newbies..with the continued development of Kennedy, Trindall and the wings it's a far superior squad. Pretty confident the side will replace the Bunnies in the 4 next year.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I've made this claim plenty of times , that I think the role of the coach is mostly overstated in team performance, and far greater indicators of performance are provided by the quality of the on-field managers. I think Michael Hagan's first year success had plenty to do with the fact he had Joey Johns & Danny Buderus running the show out on the park. For these two first time head coaches , the quality of the on field managers will again be the most important. Whilst Souths have lost their key playmaker of recent years in Reynolds, they still have a pretty solid spine and I can see Cody Walker and Damien Cook, along with Cam Murray providing the directions out on the park for coach Demetriou. I think he has a far better start than Fitzgibbon at the Sharks, who I believe are still missing any proven on-field game managers. Whilst the Sharks have recruited some talented players, I don't see any game managers there ? It will be up to Fitzgibbon to quickly try to develop the likes of a Trindall or maybe Moylan or Hynes to control things out on the park, to maximise the talent out there. This looks a tough task to me, with only Trindall looking a likely type at this stage ?
Troy Whittaker
Editor
Thanks for reading AMD. Yep, clubs have dedicated recruitment officers and GMs etc who focus on roster management and number-crunching, but the head coach still has to be across everything (some are more hands-on than others I'd suggest). Assistants can generally focus on footy. All the responsibilities add pressure - the point being that a successful coach needs a lot more than simply football nous and man-management skills. :happy:
Redcap
Roar Guru
Interesting read, thanks Troy. Don't most clubs have a GM of football and/or some form of committee to handle the planning and financial management side of things? I know the coach has to have some input into those things, but I'd have thought it's not as onerous or awkward as suggested here. Of the two, I think Demetriou has the harder task, with some key players departed and the inevitable comparisons between he and Bennett.
Troy Whittaker
Editor
Thanks Nat. I agree - JD has some huge shoes to fill and it'll be tough to keep Souths in premiership contention, especially with Reynolds departing as you said. But they've still got plenty of firepower so I expect they'll be very competitive - at least on the brink of the top four. Good points re Fitzgibbon. It'll certainly be interesting to see how things unfold for him, but by all accounts he is very composed and a great communicator, so I think he'll adapt.