Since Tony Smith was sacked just over a month ago, many names have been linked with Hull FC and becoming the club’s new head coach.
Salford Red Devils boss Paul Rowley has already turned down an offer to take over at the MKM Stadium, as has former Leeds Rhinos coach and current Newcastle Knights assistant Brian McDermott.
On Friday, Sky Sports revealed a 10-man shortlist for the hot seat at FC with a number of familiar faces making up the list, including Leigh boss Adrian Lam and Castleford assistant Danny McGuire.
Brisbane Broncos assistant coach Lee Briers, England head coach Shaun Wane and Warrington assistant Martin Gleeson were also named.
Former Castleford and London boss Danny Ward, recently sacked Souths coach Jason Demtriou and current Hull interim coach Simon Grix were included too, with Dean Young and Chad Randall completing the shortlist.
Leeds Rhinos legend declares interest in Hull FC job
Now Serious About Rugby League can exclusively reveal another name who is interested in becoming head coach at Hull FC.
Former Leeds Rhinos player Matt Adamson is interested in taking the Black & Whites’ job, having been out of work since taking charge of Fiji in 2018.
Adamson played in Super League for Leeds between 2002 and 2004, winning the Super League title in his final season at Headingley.
His three seasons at Leeds came after a decade playing for Penrith Panthers. Adamson’s playing career also included a stint at Canberra Raiders and representative honours for Australia and New South Wales.
Matt Adamson’s coaching experience
His coaching career started at Catalans Dragons in 2006 where he was assistant coach and, very briefly, head coach, when Steve Deakin walked out just six weeks before the French club’s first-ever Super League season.
The following year he moved back to Australia and linked back up with his beloved Penrith Panthers, working there under Matthew Elliot during the 2007 and 2008 NRL seasons.
He’s also spent time at Melbourne Storm. Adamson was the Storm’s under 20’s coach in 2014 before being promoted to the club’s Coaching Director for the following season. He then became assistant coach.
Also on the 51-year-old’s CV is a spell as head coach of the Fiji national team in 2018. This remains Adamson’s most recent top-level job, though he has been working as a coach in the local rugby league divisions in Sydney over recent seasons.
Hull to consider Adamson?
Though Adamson’s name has not been mentioned up to this point, he could be a strong option for Hull having had experience in Super League and working at two of the NRL’s biggest and most successful clubs.
During his stints at Penrith and Melbourne, he helped to rebuild the defensive structure of both clubs – something that is needed at the MKM Stadium. He also impressed during his short coaching spell with Catalans.
Adamson is a disciplinarian no-nonsense coach, but also exceptional at man-management, two other traits that look like they’re needed at FC. A new DNA is something Adamson would certainly provide.
A lack of recent experience may cause concerns and many may consider this a left-field choice, but our understanding is that Adamson is interested in the role, has spoken briefly to the club, and is prepared to get straight into it should Hull opt for him.
The difficulty for the hierarchy at Hull FC up to this point in landing a British coach may force their hand and to turn to an Australian, if Adam Pearson and Richie Myler do that then Adamson would be a strong candidate.
