If anyone doubted Rohan Smith’s quality as a Head Coach, not that that is likely after he performed a miracle in guiding Leeds Rhinos to the Grand Final when they were second from bottom in April, they only need look at the Norths Devils.
That’s the team Smith departed to take over at Headingley having ended their Premiership drought in 2021.
Riding high on the back of that no doubt with Smith’s philosophies well intact, the Devils made it back-to-back Grand Final wins in 2022 no doubt bringing a smile to the face of Smith.
Now the Devils have appointed a new Head Coach, their 42nd, as they look to continue to be successful and it’s a man another Super League coach knows very well in the shape of Smith’s Grand Final opponent Kristian Woolf.
The now former St Helens boss, Woolf was previously Head Coach of North Queensland Cowboys’ Under 20s team and his assistant Dave Elliott has now replaced Smith at the Norths Devils.
Elliott took over from Woolf at the Cowboys’ Under 20s boss and had the chance to work with eventual NRL stars Michael Morgan and Kyle Feldt.
Now with the challenge of continuing Smith’s good work, Elliott is certainly excited telling the Norths Devils website: “The challenge is to continue to be successful and it’s a good challenge to face.
“If you win premierships, that means you have a good culture and a strong leadership group.
“The standards here are high and our goal will be to maintain those standards.”
Based on the track record of both Woolf and Smith, perhaps the Devils will oversee the development of another great Super League coach in Elliott.
He is one to keep an eye on.
