After winning four Super League titles with Leeds Rhinos, more than any other coach, Brian McDermott has had an interesting career.
Unlike other top coaches, he hasn’t stuck around in Super League. He instead helped Toronto Wolfpack to promotion in 2019 prior to joining Featherstone Rovers in 2022.
Unfortunately, he was unable to deliver promotion to Post Office Road and following his resignation he has taken up a chance at Newcastle Knights in the NRL as assistant coach.
Speaking on the club’s website, he claimed it was a big move for his career:
“Pretty big, it’s been a big move. I think the whole process, when it was confirmed that I was coming it dawned on me just how big of a move this is,” McDermott said on the club’s website.
“Not just the logistics of getting out here, but a career path. It’s a fortunate thing to happen.
“I think any English man wants to test himself against the best competition and that’s the NRL, I didn’t have that chance as a player as I wasn’t that good but now I do as a coach.”
He also explained who the move came about:
“I had a conversation with Adam O’Brien some weeks ago before the job was confirmed, I spoke to him on zoom and there was a connection instantly some of his philosophies so we carried on speaking and as things panned out there was an opportunity and I was on the plane instantly.
“I can sense that pressure and expectation.”
