Changing Coaches …
Salford have a press conference set for today at which they will make an announcement on their coaching situation.
It’s widely expected that former Saints and Hull FC coach, Shaun McRae, will be named as Karl Harrison’s replacement.
And maybe he wil be.
My thoughts? It’s a big mistake for both parties.
McRae’s a good bloke who did a great job coaching talented Saints outfit and an adequate job coaching a less talented Hull team. His record trying to kick-start a weak Rabbitohs side in the NRL was less impressive and closer to the job he’ll be called on to do at Salford.
For mine, McRae should have joined Paul Cullen at the Wolves. Working alongside Cullen he could have helped coax the best out of a talented but under-achieving Warrington side. As a bonus he would have imparted valuable experience to an aspiring ‘young’ British coach.
It’s a far easier job to make Warrington a top four contender than to keep the Reds out of National League One. And if they do slip down what price McRae then?
As it is it seems the Wolves sticky situation may turn out to be a way back from ‘the Dark Side‘ for League’s prodigal son … Ellery Hanley.
Whether Hanley can be tempted back, and how he would fit into the structure working with Cullen – or replacing him – remains to be seen.
It’s clear that the Wolves have talent and that Cullen is almost a good coach: both need a touch of experience and a good shove in the right direction to get them over the hump.
McRae could do it. So too Hanley, who may see it as a stepping stone to greater things when Tony Smith’s reign as GB coach peters out.
Oh and a good short stint saving the Wolves wouldn’t do him any harm chasing the Leeds Rhinos role either.
