Rohan Smith has spoken at length on life after Leeds Rhinos with the Australian discussing what he misses about the job and also what could come next following his Headingley exit a month ago.
Just over four weeks ago Leeds Rhinos confirmed that they had parted ways with Rohan Smith after a run of results that had seen the club distanced from the playoffs.
It was the embarrassing loss to Hull FC that ended the Rohan Smith era at Leeds Rhinos with the club announcing his exit as a mutual decision.
In that statement, Smith confirmed that ensuring the upcoming commemorative game for Rob Burrow against Leigh Leopards was celebrated properly was a factor in his exit, a testament to the man. Proof of his love for the club was the fact that Smith attended the game as a fan alongside and as part of the Headingley crowd.
He explained: “Friday will be a special night for the club and we wanted to remove the ongoing coaching speculation and distraction. Celebrating Rob [Burrow]’s life, the great work done by the club and Kev [Sinfield] for the MND community and playing well is the focus for Friday.”
A month on and Smith has spoken to BBC Radio Leeds about what is next for him after his Leeds Rhinos exit.
Rohan Smith ‘missing the struggle’ of coaching
Credit: Imago Images
It could be assumed that coaches wilt under pressure when their team is in a rut but Smith has spoken on the fact that he ‘misses the struggle’ and enjoyed the chance to try unite a group to overcome an obstacle.
By contrast, recently departed Huddersfield Giants boss Ian Watson explained that he’d spent the last few weeks “banging his head against a wall”, such was the stress of the role.
Working on BBC Radio Leeds‘ coverage of Castleford Tigers versus Catalans Dragons, the former Leeds Rhinos boss was asked what he missed about the day-to-day of coaching which prompted his surprise answer.
“I miss the struggle,” Smith revealed, adding: “I miss the daily battle towards trying to improve. I enjoy the spanners that come from left field and the things that you’re not predicting. I enjoy those opportunities to help, to serve players, to develop people.
“That day-to-day mission where you’re sharing a journey with a bunch of people and you’re doing something that you love and you’re doing it with other people and you depend on each other. I love that element of it. I love having a purpose to get up and do my best for something I love doing with people that I love.”
Could former Leeds Rhinos boss move into another sport?
Credit: Leeds Rhinos
Smith also spoke at length on the ways in which he utilises coaching techniques from other sports, noting a chat with a college basketball coach whilst on a recent trip to America as well as discussions with the head of Belgium’s Olympic hockey team.
Those revelations, coupled with his clear passion for coaching, prompted questions about whether he would ever stray into the coaching sphere of another sport in the future, something the former Leeds Rhinos boss confirmed is a possibility.
Smith explained: “I don’t know, that’s kind of scary because rugby league is what I know but I’ve been speaking to a bunch of people in business and other sports including my brother as well, who has always been a big advocate of mine.
“He’s always pushing me and saying ‘You know you can do a lot of what you do in other industries’, in terms of the way that I support and help that mentality towards getting people to be a better version of themselves, because I’m trying to be a better version of myself, can be applied to sort of any industry.
“So it’s something that’s floating around in my head at the moment, but I feel like there’s so much more I’ve got to give rugby league. I don’t think it’s time yet to change directions but I believe that the universe does things for you as well at times.
“One door closes and some others are going to open I’m sure.”
