Richie Myler reveals the man in ‘pole position’ to be Hull FC head coach

Hull FC have been without a head coach since Tony Smith left the role in April. Several high profile names have been linked with the job, however, as yet, FC are yet to appoint a full-time successor to Smith.

Hull FC came close to agreeing a deal for Salford Red Devils boss, Paul Rowley, to take over. However, Rowley rejected the opportunity to move to Humberside. Names such as Brian McDermott, Lee Briers and Adrian Lam have been linked. But, from the outside, the Black and Whites appear no closer to naming a new head coach.

Now, speaking in a press conference, Richie Myler has revealed that one candidate is in pole position for the role. Myler has stated that someone within the club is potentially lined up to take on the role.

Hull FC could look close to home

Simon Grix joined Hull FC in the winter, after a successful spell as head coach of Halifax Panthers. He was appointed interim coach following Smith’s departure. In 2021, Grix guided the Panthers into the Championship play-offs, losing out to Featherstone Rovers in the semi-final.

Grix is yet to win a game in charge of FC. However, performances have improved markedly during his tenure. He has been backed with several mid-season signings. Hull FC face London Broncos this weekend, and Grix will be hoping to secure his first win in charge.

Now Director of Rugby, Myler, has revealed that Grix is in pole position to take on the head coach’s role full time.

“Grixy is in the pole position for it in the sense that he is doing the job day to day and the boys are responding really well to him,” Myler said.

“Performances have improved after several 50-point defeats. In the last few weeks, you can see they have responded well to him.”

Myler will not make a rash decision

Myler wants to take the time to ensure he gets the decision right. He explained that any external candidates have to be an improvement on Grix. Myler believes Grix is working well with the players, and this is buying him the time he needs to make the right call.

“Ultimately, the question will be, is anybody going to add to what we’ve got, is anybody going to give us that little bit extra that we need? If that person is out there, then we might go down that route. However, at this current moment in time, we’ve had numerous conversations with numerous coaches, including Simon himself.

“He’s doing a tremendous job behind the scenes, and he’s working really hard for it. He sees himself as a head coach.

“There are lots of options, and as a club of Hull FC’s stature, we’ll always have them, but Grixy is definitely a candidate.

“He will be a future head coach. He did a tremendous job at Halifax, and he has that aspiration to be a head coach, but whether that’s at Hull or not at Hull, time will tell. There’s no rash decision coming from my end.”