I can't understand why Newcastle fans have such an anti Hagan sentiment.
The guy coached us to a premiership. Whether or not he benefitted from the good work of the coaches preceeding him, is irrelevant.
His Grand Final game plan against the Eels was about as good as it gets, and with Andrew Johns following the plan to perfection, the Knights bought home the 2001 trophy against the odds.
Plain and simply, Hagan out coached Brian Smith to win in 2001. While Smith's mind games had the Eels wound up so tight, the Knights were confident, calm and relaxed - like their coach.
He might be too laid back, or too loyal to his players ( I personally don't see too much wrong with that by the way ), but he clearly can coach in the NRL.
Petty agendas against the guy comes across as big time lameness. While he was playing for a grand final spot last year, what were the Knights doing?
Typical of many Novocastrians. The tall poppy syndrome capital of Australia. To get enjoyment out of a former Knights player and premiership winning coach's sufferance is just about as dog act low as it gets. What sort of make up does one have to do that?