I would like to say that every coach has been a "rookie" at some time, Bennett, Bellamy, Green etc were all 1st timers at one stage. The issue is that some go on and some fall away.
Appointing rookies before their time has always been fraught with danger and in particular when those rookies are previous players who were legends and bleed the colours. Not many succeed under those appointment criteria.
Bellamy, for example, played for the Raiders for 10 yrs, became their lower grade coach, then moved to the Broncos as assistant to Bennett.
His first "rookie" assignment was head coach of the Melbourne Storm.
Trent Robinson played with the Tigers and Eels before getting a coaching gig at Catalans.
His first "rookie" assignment was head coach of the Roosters
.
On the flip side
Brian Smith played for the Dragons and then the Rabbits.
His first coaching as a "rookie" was with the Illawarra Steelers with a success rate of 33% (Mmm), even at the Roosters his success rate was only 46% (not flattering). However, he has enjoyed huge success at Hull, Us and the Eels. BUT, his last coaching gig was only at a 27% success rate with Wakefield.
JD is a rookie, there's no denying that. But taking a line through Bellamy and even Robinson and add the fact the comments passed on by the players about him (the latest today by Hutch), he would at least get the best out of the players on the field. He also seems to have tactics and plans.
There is no guarantee that Cleary or even Brian Smith, could come and turn the clubs fortunes and make a grand final etc, and nether can JD, however, I think we would all be much happier to see our team each week produce attractive footy, having a go, being in the battle and even scoring points. At least then we can enjoy watching a game win lose or draw. Let's be entertained!
At the moment, under McGregor, we are all watching grass grow and paint dry.
