Brian McDermott lands NRL move as former Leeds Rhinos coach lands assistant gig

[josie andrews]

The four-time Grand Final winning coach is heading down under.

Brian McDermott will head to the NRL next year after agreeing to become the new assistant coach of Newcastle Knights. McDermott, the most decorated British coach of his generation, will make the move to Australia next year to become Adam O'Brien's right-hand man.

The 52-year-old, a four-time Grand Final winner and coach of Leeds' 2015 treble-winning side, has secured the position after one year at Featherstone Rovers. He previously coach Toronto Wolfpack and guided them to Super League before their demise. His latest role at Rovers ending in disappointment, with the West Yorkshire club unable to secure promotion to Super League.

But he will now head to down under to continue his coaching career with the Knights. O'Brien has been looking for a new assistant coach since Willie Peters' departure to take the head coach position at Hull KR. McDermott will, for the next month or so, be part of the Fiji coaching staff during their World Cup campaign.

As a player, McDermott won the Grand Final and League Leaders' Shield three times, won two Challenge Cups and the World Club Challenge, playing at prop during Bradford Bulls' glory years.

His move to coaching saw him first coach Harlequins before being named Leeds Rhinos' head coach in 2011. In his eight seasons with the club, the Rhinos won eight trophies, including the World Club Challenge.

Meanwhile, Featherstone have already secured his replacement, with Sean Long being recruited to be the club's new head coach.

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[Mike]

Nice use of the word "lands" twice in one sentence there.

[pearsy]

Glad to see the back of him

[fozzieskem]

I'll miss all his jokes and sunny demeanor

[josie andrews]

I'll miss all his jokes and sunny demeanor

He’s just like Darryl Powell

[w.thomas]

I’m sad in a way because I’d always wanted to see him and Powell in a competition of who could be the most miserable (first one who stops frowning loses) I’d call it the match of misery.