http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Br...0670192599.html
Brian Smith linked to Hull return
February 23, 2006 - 3:49PM
Departing Parramatta coach Brian Smith has been linked with his former English Super League home Hull.
And veteran St George Illawarra lock Shaun Timmins may follow.
Speculation is rife that Smith - to be replaced at Parramatta by Newcastle's Michael Hagan next year - is being eyed by the Super League club after Hull stalled on re-signing current coach John Kear.
Hull raised eyebrows when it decided to postpone a decision on Kear - who is off contract at the end of the season - until May.
While Kear guided Hull to 2005 Challenge Cup glory in the club's first major trophy success in 23 years, rumours abound that Smith - in charge of Hull from 1988-90 - will return.
Hull chief executive David Plummer tried to hose down speculation but could not elaborate on why the club had postponed a decision on Kear for three months.
"It has been well publicised that Brian Smith will be out of contract at the end of the season," he told The Hull Daily Mail newspaper.
"The situation with John is that he is under contract until the end of the season and we have to make a decision on extending his contract before the end of May and that is what we will do.
"I can see why all this speculation has come about. John is out of contract, so is Brian Smith, and he is also a former Hull coach."
Kear is in his second season as Hull coach after taking over from Shaun McRae, the current South Sydney mentor.
The departing Eels coach has criss-crossed from England to Australia throughout his career.
After holding the Illawarra reins (1984-87), he moved to Hull then St George (1991-95) and back to England (Bradford, 1996) before landing at Parramatta in 1997.
Smith has also been linked to Canberra which will lose current coach Matthew Elliott to Penrith next year.
Smith was reportedly one of eight candidates who have already expressed interest to Raiders general manager Don Furner.
Meanwhile, Plummer said the club was "keeping our options open" over making another approach to hulking lock Timmins, one of more than 20 Dragons players off-contract at the end of 2006.
Timmins knocked back a Hull offer last year but has made it clear he wants to play out his career in England from 2007.
Hull will have a vacancy in its three-strong overseas player quota when former Dragons winger Nathan Blacklock retires at the end of the season.
"When we approached Timmins last time he wanted to see out his contract with the Dragons this year," Plummer said.
"We are aware that he now wants to come to England next season but as far as we are concerned it is a bit early to make any decision.
"Obviously, we're not ruling out any player at this time and if a real superstar came on the market then it would more than likely change the way we're thinking."
© 2006 AAP
