Leeds Rhinos: 5 new head coaching candidates as club expands search

Since leaving the English game, Morgan has taken on a number of assistant coaching roles including the New Zealand national team, Canberra Raiders, Melbourne Storm New Zealand Warriors and currently the North Queensland Cowboys. After over a decade in the realm of head coaching, perhaps Headingley’s influence could persuade him to return.

Dean Young

Credit: Getty Images

Young is the only name on this list who hasn’t had a Super League connection with the St George Illawarra Dragons assistant, who has spent his entire playing and coaching career down under. The 40-year-old spent his entire playing career with the Dragons, making more than 200 appearances, before taking over the club’s junior teams.

He went on to become a first-team assistant and even served as interim head coach during which he made the infamous “same s**t, different day” remark in a presser after a loss to the Cowboys. He would then leave to join the Cowboys before returning back to St George, where he remains today. If Leeds Rhinos want to gamble again, as they did with Rohan Smith, then Dean Young could be the man.

Ryan Carr

Credit: Imago Images

Former Featherstone Rovers boss Ryan Carr completes that shortlist and is the youngest of any candidate at just 35. Coincidentally, he coached 35 matches as head coach of Fev during the 2019 season where he took the club to the Million Pound Game. The loss to the Toronto Wolfpack served as the final game, with Carr leaving to return to Australia afterwards.

He has since coached NSW Cup side Parramatta Eels and under Leeds Rhinos target Brad Arthur for the first team. He will take over from the St George Illawarra Dragons following the sacking of Anthony Griffin, coaching 12 games in the 2023 season.