Hull FC’s Gareth Ellis reveals shock latest on his future

For the past few years or so, Gareth Ellis has gone under the radar.

After hanging up his boots for the final time in November 2020 at the age of 39, Ellis joined the Hull FC coaching staff ahead of the 2021 Super League season.

As an assistant, he has been helping to oversee the rebuild of Hull under Brett Hodgson but he is unsure of where his future lies in the game.

“I really don’t know, I’m not sure,” Ellis said on the Out Of Your League podcast. “I’m really enjoying doing this.

“I nearly fell down a trap last year of wanting to be the best assistant coach but not knowing how to use the computer and do all the analysis stuff.

“But, learning from my mistakes in the past, I thought I’d give it some time and I’m actually really, really enjoying it.”

Ellis’ main goal at Hull has been to focus on the defensive side of things.

“I think I spent a lot of last year trying to do it how I felt people wanted me to do it with coaching stuff,” Ellis admits.

“But this year I’ve learnt how to do it my way – I don’t profess to be the most tactical coach, picking things apart, but I do know, particularly in defence, is what level of attitude it takes to defend as a team.

“For me defending is the ultimate team element of rugby league.”

Despite enjoying himself coaching, he former Leeds Rhinos and Wests Tigers star does not see himself as a head coach.

“At the minute I’m happy doing what I’m doing, but I don’t see myself as a head coach.

“This is the time of year, the deadline has passed and you’re having those conversations with players.

“There’s the good ones, where you’re saying we want to keep them for another three years, but also the s**t ones where you’re telling blokes they’re no longer required and I don’t know if I have that in me.”