He's my hero’: McGregor opens up on caring for ailing dad after Dragons exit
Danny Weidler
August 30, 2020 — 12.01am
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At a time when everyone is asking why anyone would want to be an NRL coach, Paul McGregor, the man who endured years of abuse and criticism during his tenure at the Dragons, says he has “unfinished business” in the area.
He wants to coach again – even as an assistant – when the opportunity presents itself. But right now he has another priority: caring for his dad, Frank, who is battling an aggressive form of dementia.
Paul McGregor and his father Frank.
“That photo [above, inset] was taken the morning after I left the club,” McGregor said.
Because of COVID-19 and the bubble, it was the first time he had been able to see his father in three months.
“I told Dad when I walked in that morning what had happened [leaving the Dragons],’’ McGregor said. ‘‘I just said to him, ‘Dad, I’m not the coach any more’. It registered with him, but then 10 minutes later he was asking me who we were playing that week. They told me the night before he saw it on the news and he became quite agitated and they had to settle him down. It’s not easy, but it’s life.
'I owe him and mum so much. But he was the one who drove my football career.'
Paul McGregor
‘‘We lost mum in 2017 and it was my turn to be with him. My sister Joanne has been looking after him when I couldn’t. I needed to see him. I owe him and Mum so much. But he was the one who drove my football career. He was a great footballer in his own right, a centre. They talk about him whenever I head back home [to Muswellbrook].
‘‘He isn’t just my dad. He was my hero growing up and still is.”
McGregor reflected on his time with St George Illawarra and knew he couldn’t make things better when he lost the power to be the sole selector of his teams. He said the constant criticism from commentators and fans didn’t really affect him.
“Because they were not the people I was seeking my advice from,’’ he said. ‘‘You get hardened to all of that when you spend your life in football. It was always there as an elite player and then as a coach. I kept my home and work life separate. But I suppose all of that was harder on my family than me.”
And he is not scared or scarred by his experience in the NRL.
“I’ve got unfinished business in football,” he said. “I’ve got discipline and a work ethic that needs to be around football and in that environment. I want to work as a coach again. When? I have not thought about that. Right now I’m taking care of family and that’s something I want and need to do. If the opportunity comes up I know I’ll be ready.”
Red V still want Fitzy
He may have knocked them back, but there’s no question the coach the Dragons still want is Craig Fitzgibbon. Wayne Bennett and Anthony Griffin get mentioned by Dragons insiders, but the forward thinkers say ‘‘Fitzy’’ is their future. He is still priority No.1 among the Dragons hierarchy.
Fitzgibbon was the first choice for the Warriors job. The Cowboys wanted him, too. Despite the knockbacks, the Dragons are adamant he is their future. He’s got the club in his bloodlines and it would be a great story: 'the local boy returns' has a good feeling to it.
The problem for the Dragons is, unlike many in rugby league, Fitzgibbon is a man of his word.
Roosters assistant coach Craig Fitzgibbon, right, with Boyd Cordner.Credit:Getty
Earning a good salary – believed to be $350,000 a year – it’s not likely Fitzgibbon will be approaching Roosters supremo Nick Politis to ask if he can leave. The only way it’s going to happen is if the Dragons can make it happen.
New Dragons chief executive Ryan Webb doesn’t have a relationship with Politis, so maybe a board member like Peter Doust will need to step in. Either that or an intermediary will need to be found.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/he...g-dad-after-dragons-exit-20200829-p55qkd.html
