The merry-go-round of NRL coaches has seemingly started again, though I think most in the game are hoping there are young, new faces on the horizon with fresh ideas.
(pic credit - overthelinesports.com.au)
There are some names being introduced and thrown into the mix for jobs across a number of clubs. What you hope is that the decision makers don't just go for the experience, as it has been proven that more often than not that doesn't necessarily translate into success. Experience is just that a person has been in a specific role at that level, it definitely doesn't mean they are the best people for the job. Having coached a large amount of games doesn't mean you are a better coach, for me there is good experience and bad experience.
The good being someone who has achieved success, not only through winning matches but building a club that is set up for long term success into the future. It should also be gauged by the improvement in the players he has coached. The bad experience, in its simplest terms is the absolute opposite to the aforementioned criteria. The thing about experience is that you can't gain it unless you are given the opportunity. Like no other sport in this country, rugby league tends to think short term to measure and rationalise success in those terms.
You only have to have a look at what Phil Gould has done at Penrith to see what forward planning can achieve. In my opinion the blueprint he has bought to that club should be what the rest of the NRL teams should be looking at. It reminds me so much of when I first went to the Leeds Rhinos. Short term pain for long term gain was definitely what has happened at that club, truly the number 1 rugby league club in the world. It was seen that there was too much deadwood at the club, blokes who had been there too long and appeared too comfortable. Whilst it was hard moving those players on for the then coach Darryl Powell, it paved the way to a successful future. In came Aussies who were hungry and a once in a lifetime generation of young stars. In 2 years Leeds were Super League champions and the year after World Club Champions who would go on and dominate for the next 10 years. This, because CEO Gary Hetherington had taken them from a footy team and implemented the structures which qualified them as a reputable business. For any business to be successful hard decisions have to be made and a plan implemented to make it better for the long term not just the short.
With several clubs looking for new coaches now is the opportunity to implement blueprints for the future. That for me starts with a changing of the guard in the coaching ranks. Give younger coaches with fresh ideas a chance to evolve with the club. Give him the confidence to build a team for now, but more importantly for the future. What we do know is that how you man-managed a team 10 years ago is a thing of the past, players hold you accountable and expect the same as you are asking of them. Coaches who understand their players and ways to handle the mix of players are the successful ones.... Full stop. If you can back that up with the technical ability as well, then the recipe for success is within. Knowing when to cuddle, to support, or to put your foot down are now the key elements of coaching like never before.
Cheers until next week,
Andrew