Super League side makes young new addition to coaching staff for 2023

Castleford Tigers have brought Scott Murrell on board to serve as reserves coach having left Keighley Cougars of the Championship.

As well as his role as the coach of the Tigers’ reserves, he will also become assistant coach to the first team, currently led by Lee Radford.

Murrell was most known for his time at Halifax and Hull KR as a player but featured for Keighley since 2021 in the capacity of player, but he’s now transitioned to Castleford to take up the reserve coaching job.

He was one of the key players in helping guide Keighley to an invincible season as they stormed League One in 2022 and secured promotion to the Championship, but he’ll now be in charge of guiding the youth of Castleford.

The Tigers released this statement to their website announcing the news.

“Castleford Tigers are thrilled to welcome Scott Murrell to the Club as part of the Fords coaching staff from the 2023 season.

“The 37-year-old brings a wealth of experience having played professionally for nearly 20 years featuring for likes of Leeds Rhinos, Hull KR, and Halifax before calling time on his career after a very successful year at Keighley Cougars in 2022.

“Murrell’s new role at The Jungle won’t be his first in terms of coaching, with the former half-back cutting his teeth as an assistant coach at both Halifax Panthers and Keighley Cougars in the past.

“Talking to castlefordtigers.com about his appointment, Murrell outlined that his focus will be leading the Tigers’ Reserves side as well as aiding Lee Radford with First Team matters.

“I am really looking forward to it! I’ve been speaking to Radders (Lee Radford), Lasty (Andy Last) and Danny Wilson over the last few weeks and I can’t wait to get involved and get stuck in with the Tigers,” said Murrell.

“My main role will be as the Reserves Head Coach which will be all about looking after the next generation of Cas players coming through. I will also be assisting Radders and Lasty with the First Team on a day-to-day basis.

“I’ve been coaching for a few years now because I was player/assistant coach at Halifax and also at Keighley Cougars last year. With this opportunity presenting itself at the Tigers and speaking to Radders, I really wanted to get stuck in.”

🥁 Introducing our new Reserves Head Coach & Assistant Coach to the First Team, Scott Murrell 🤝

Welcome to the Tigers, @scottmurrell85 🐯

Full story 👇#COYF

— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) December 29, 2022

The statement continued.

“Murrell hung up his boots after ending his career on a high at the Cougars last season by guiding the club to a perfect campaign where they were victorious in all their League One fixtures as they soared to the title.

“Reflecting on a stellar rugby league career, Castleford’s new member of the coaching staff reaffirmed that he was over the moon to be able to finish on a high note at Cougar Park.

Murrell said: “Obviously to retire with Keighley after getting promoted was a really nice way to go out on a high. After 18 years of playing, it finally started to take its toll on my body but I’m now looking forward to getting started with this coaching role.”

“I really enjoyed it at Keighley because it’s a great club and they’ve got their aspirations to go places now.”

Keighley Cougars can today announce the departure of @scottmurrell85 as he takes up a full-time position on the coaching staff of @CTRLFC.

Thank you Muzza, for everything.

Read ➡️ https://t.co/8PQs84tqvT#JoinThePride pic.twitter.com/2BsJgsD194

— Keighley Cougars (@Cougarmania) December 29, 2022

“Keen to show his desire to get stuck in working with the playing and coaching staff at Castleford, despite his retirement, Murrell has not ruled out putting on his boots to play for the Fords Reserves if needed!

“I’m newly retired but if during the year the Reserves need me to put my hand up and play, I will do, but if we have enough players and the youngsters are coming through, they will of course get the first gig.”

“Murrell is well acquainted with Fords Head Coach Lee Radford having faced off against him on many occasions during some memorable East versus West Hull contests whilst with the Robins.

“In closing, the 37-year-old put forward how much he is relishing the opportunity to advance his coaching career under the tutelage of Radford moving forward.

“I’ve never worked with Lee before, but I’ve obviously played against him down the years when he was at Hull FC, and I was at KR. We’ve known each other for a while and I’m looking forward to getting started and learning from him.”

Tigers will finish off 2022 with a fixture against rivals Featherstone Rovers on New Years Eve before ramping up their pre-season efforts towards an opening round one game against Hull FC.