Hull FC-linked coach out of running as he takes up new role

Almost a month on from the sacking of Tony Smith, Hull FC are still without a head coach and now one of those men linked with the role has taken up a job elsewhere.

In the weeks since Smith’s sacking, there has been plenty of change at Hull FC with Director of Rugby Richie Myler appointed and long-serving CEO James Clark stepping down, but there still isn’t a new head coach.

Hull FC would look to go all out for Paul Rowley but the Salford Red Devils boss knocked them back, opting to remain with the Greater Manchester-based club instead of moving to West Hull.

Several names have been linked to the vacant role and one of those men has now been confirmed to take up a new role.

FC-linked coach finds new job a week after sacking

That man is former South Sydney Rabbitohs boss Jason Demetriou with the ex-Wakefield Trinity player sacked with the Bunnies at the foot of the NRL table.

It’s not just been the season form in 2024 that saw Demetriou axed but the late-season form in 2023 with the Rabbitohs throwing away a playoff place as they lost nine of their last thirteen games, before then starting the season with a record of one win and six losses.

As such, Demetriou, who had been linked to the Hull FC role by Sky Sports, was sacked but he has quickly found himself new work.

That work is in the media with Demetriou taking on a role for Triple M as part of their commentary team for the remainder of the 2024 NRL season.

Just a week after his dismissal, he has been snapped up and will join a team that features former St Helens star James Graham, who also offers analysis on Triple M.

It’s somewhat of a blow for Hull FC considering the reports from Sky Sports that Demetriou was on the Black and Whites’ reported shortlist.

He was also on the shortlist compiled by Sky Sports’ Jenna Brooks who suggested some bold names as candidates.

Who is on the Sky’s Hull FC shortlist?

The shortlist proposed by Jenna Brooks ahead of Hull FC’s clash with Warrington Wolves featured a number of NRL names as well as Demetriou, but there was a heavy Super League bias.

Names such as current interim head coach Simon Grix are featured as well as current assistants at Warrington and Castleford in the form of Martin Gleeson and Danny Maguire.

Hull KR’s assistant coach Danny Ward was another mentioned whilst two of the bold shouts were Shaun Wane and Adrian Lam.

Adrian Lam’s name did start gaining traction though following the confirmation that Hull FC had signed John Asiata, however, suggestions of Lam to the MKM Stadium have quietened down after Derek Beaumont poured water on them.

He revealed to Leigh Leopards fans that the club had offered Lam a three-year deal, something that Lam was surprised had been made public as he claimed that the information “wasn’t exactly right”.