NRL: The Great Coach Swap: Smith comfirmed as Knights boss

[Queenslander]

Smith comfirmed as Knights boss
March 8, 2006

PARRAMATTA coach Brian Smith will join Newcastle next season after agreeing to a three-year deal with the 2005 NRL wooden spooner, the Knights' board announced today.

The deal brings to an end a month-long search for a new Knights coach after it was revealed current coach Michael Hagan had accepted a three-year offer to head in the other direction to Parramatta from 2007.

Smith was told in November that his contract with the Eels would not be renewed beyond this season, making this his 10th and final campaign in charge of the 2005 minor premier.

It was a case of third time lucky for the Knights after earlier attempts to lure Wests Tigers premiership-winning coach Tim Sheens and Canberra mentor Matthew Elliott both ended in disappointment.

After earlier refusing to speculate on his future, Smith yesterday revealed his desire to continue coaching in the NRL.

He said he was excited by the prospect of starting again with a rival club.

Today's announcement is sure to add extra spice to Saturday's opening round clash between the Knights and Eels at EnergyAustralia Stadium, with both coaches going up against the club they will be in charge of in 2007.

AAP

[DeeGan]

Well there you go - another coaching prediction wrong

Great move by Newcastle who are going from strength to strength off the field which is GREAT for rugby league.

[Titanium_BD1103]

Congrats to Smith... and well done to Newcastle... that was one that I wasn't expecting... so that leaves Canberra on the coaching merry go round... interesting to see which way they go for this one..

[Eel 33]

Brian Smith doesn't say much and keeps his cards close to his chest, im sad to see him go but hopefully parra can send him off a winner in october.

[Super Cronk]

hmm..Not a huge fan of smith...i wonder how he will go at the knights.

[Eel 33]

If he turned Parra from being cellar dwellers into genuine title contenders, id say he will do the same with the knights. In particular, their whole behind the scenes organisation.

[Dakink]

Yep good move for the Knights who will be back to the top of the tree againb soon. Getting their off field and now their on field business right. Smith may have never won a title but he has turned many poor teams into threats - nothing shows this better than leading a Dragons team many thought extremmely poor to the GF!!

[MOPL]

I hope to be as unbiased as possible but

I am not a fan of Brian Smith he is one of the most overated coaches ever. Brians record or lack of it is testiment to his ability.

He"s won and under 23's comp with Souths back in the 80"s a few 7's tournaments with Parra, lost a grand final to Newcastle and that's it I can't remember how many times his side were favourites only to see them fold under pressure due to a lack of direction

If you were an investor in Parramatta your stocks rose when Michael Hagan agreed to coach.

Brian Smith has had a total control over money spent and players purchased by Parra for the last 10 years and he has been a failure. If he was incharge of a public company you'd sue him for under performing and misleading the footy world for impersonating a coach.

The talent pool that other coaches would dream about and he achieved nothing with those players. Jim Dymock Dean Pay Jarrod McCraken, Jason Smith, Jamie Lyons etc etc

Thru Brian Smith Parra wasted alot of money on players who they bought at inflated prices and subsequently released them for those players to go onto bigger and better things. (Denis Fitzgerald also has alot to answer for as well but that's a nother story)

Well done Parra bad luck (choice) Newcastle

[Dakink]

Brians record or lack of it is testiment to his ability.

Lack of record? The only thing he lacks is a premiership, other than that he has an outstanding record.

Check the Dragons in mid 90's and the current Parra squad.

[Titanium_BD1103]

That is very true... as much as I have been critical of Smith for not making a final... it is the only thing he hasn't done. Last year he got so close.. and it was only North Queensland Brillance and an off day by the players that lost him it...

He will do well in Newcastle, hopefully bring some guidance to the off-field side of things and with Joey there.. has a chance to win a premiership finally... I reckon 2007 Knights, with a good season in 06, have to be up there as favourites..

[Ipswich Fan]

As a Parramatta supporter the bbiggest ribute i can pay Smith is that when he leaves the club will be in far better shape than when he arrived. I wish him all the best at Newcastle, hopefully the players at Parra can give him that premiership he deserves in October.

[Sharks]

Its a very interesting swap being that both sides are rivals.Its going to cause a shake up for players on both sides of the fence,Tahu left the Knights cause he didnt agree with Hagans coaching methods and Johns has never been a big fan of Brian Smith.The Knights will be more effected by the swap then Eels due to Smith expects very high standards from his players,some will crack under the pressure.

[brn2bwyld]

Mybe Smith is just a stop gap coach until Johns retires. The Knights a re likely to offer Johns the coach postion 1 or 2 years after he retires

[Coaster]

I feel sorry for Tahu. he left Hagen to get a gig at center.

Smith is a great coach, newcastle will do well.
Hagen is pathetic, and as a QLD will never forgive him for his coaching tactics in SOO2/3 last year.

[MOPL]

Lack of record? The only thing he lacks is a premiership, other than that he has an outstanding record.

Check the Dragons in mid 90's and the current Parra squad.

What record does he have, the "oh so close award"

He couldn't coach ivy up a fence

Maybe a bit harsh but he is a major under achiever with the autonomy and cattle he has had