They are out of their collective minds

[Father Ted]

Paul McGregor, future Dragons coach?
By TIM BARROW and PETER FITZGERALD


July 5, 2013, 10 p.m.

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  Paul McGregor (centre) is set to become an assistant to Steve Price. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI

Five years ago, at the dawn of the Wayne Bennett era, Paul McGregor's career in rugby league was at a crossroads.


Now, poised to become an NRL assistant to Steve Price next year, he has been endorsed as a future coach at St George Illawarra.
McGregor may be missing the blond locks like Cameron Diaz to complete the gag, but indeed, there truly is something about 'Mary'.
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After three premierships with Illawarra league club Wests, then a return to the NRL system with the NSW Cup feeder team the Cutters, McGregor is once again part of the Dragons' inner sanctum.
This week, Fairfax Media revealed McGregor is to replace Steve Folkes next year, which looms as a defining season in Price's career.
McGregor is also again playing a key role in the NSW State of Origin camp, part of Laurie Daley's team alongside the likes of Brad Fittler, Trent Barrett and Steve Roach.
Roach reckons McGregor is destined for the NRL.
"He's the ultimate professional, as he was when he was playing," Roach said.
"He's done his apprentice, done the strength and conditioning, the water running, the delivering of messages to the players, the GPS training, coached at a lower level, then into the Origin scene, and of course with the Cutters, so he's ticked every box of a coaching apprenticeship.
"He's a hard worker, so it doesn't surprise me he's being promoted at the Dragons. He deserves his go. His time is here and I wouldn't be surprised if he's even being groomed to take over from Price at some stage, possibly sooner rather than later even."
As part of the restructure, Dean Young would take over as Cutters coach, with 2010 premiership captain Ben Hornby taking charge of the National Youth Cup under-20 team.
Justin Holbrook will join McGregor as Price's assistant.
While the Cutters have had their struggles since entering the NSW Cup as the Dragons' reserve outfit, McGregor is credited with making the new venture a competitive force.
"Players want to play for Mary," Roach said. "The thing with coaches is you've got to be able to attract players to play for you and he's convincing. .
"I feel for Folkesy, given he's not long lost his wife and now he's lost his job but he'll bounce back. He's a tough human being and he'll understand the reasons behind all of this I'm sure."
Former Dragons halfback Mat Head credits McGregor for his emergence as an NRL player.
Head made his debut in 2003, when McGregor was the strength and conditioning coach, a position he remained in until coach Nathan Brown was replaced by Bennett.
McGregor then went on to complete a famous threepeat of premierships with Wests in the Illawarra league, breaking an 18-year drought when the club won in 2009.
"Mary and myself were both Dapto boys, so when I came into grade, Mary was always that guy I could speak to when I needed to," Head said.
"A couple of times, when there were players ahead of me at the club, I wondered where the chances would come for me and whether I should leave the club and Mary always got me back on track."
Wests coach Reece Simmonds, the former Dragons and Rabbitohs player who was captain during the recent premiership reign, said McGregor's dedication provided the Red Devils with a competitive edge.
"The club wasn't too far away from where it needed to be anyway," he said. "But when he took over at Wests, his dedication and work ethic was a big factor [in the club's success]."


However, Head warned against thoughts of McGregor being a short-term fix, if Price struggles again next year with new buys Gareth Widdop, Joel Thompson, Dylan Farrell and Englishman Mike Cooper, as well as mid-season recruit Josh Dugan.
"The good thing about Mary's career is he hasn't rushed anything," Head, who coached Balmain to the SG Ball premiership this year, said.
"He has been in the system before, went back to coaching in the Illawarra league and is now back in the NRL, Origin and Country.
"I've no doubt he's got everything he needs to be an assistant next year and then, well, you would think his time would come at some stage."

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1619621/paul-mcgregor-future-dragons-coach/?cs=302

 

[KiamaSaint]

Yes, yes they are.

 

[DRAGONS_10]

I will not renew my membership if this were to happen.

 

[DRAGONS_10]

Bennett wanted nothing to do with this clown when he came to the dragons.

 

[Minh]

this would be suicidal.

 

[TheRev]

What has blocker roach got to do with our dragons coaching staff? Did he buddy up with him for a week of city/country or something?

Lets hope its not true, we need some experience and id like an outside perspective too, the boys need a fresh approach.

Are Young & Hornby any better? No idea if they are tactically minded, I know Young is a passionate player and ppl respect that, but thats just a starting point... Id back Hornby as being the smarter of the 2, always on top of his game.. but either way you would want a couple of years before we considered either.

 

[dragonv]

shoot me now

 

[blacksafake]

It's obvious that he will be taking over from price as he has all the credentials.. Ex player,no top grade experience,good bloke & one of the boys!.This mob will not learn the only success we have had is with a coach from outside the " system". FFS look how well the cutters are going.Please J Taylor give the club a call & offer your services.:?

 

[Black Forest Dragon]

I think the promotion 'through' the ranks from within has been repeatedly proven an unsuccessful stratagy. Steve Price, Nathan Brown, and Craig Young all come to mind as examples of failed coaches who came on that way.

The reasons are:- their knowing the ropes (internal structures and politics) seriously limits innovation.

It is unequivocally a liability to be promoted to the key position of ccoach from within.

Hec, Steve Price not standing up to the likes of Craig Young and Peter Doust stands as evidence of this.

Please Board Members... read this.

Please Board Members... don't make this same mistake AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gazzaw]

I think the promotion 'through' the ranks from within has been repeatedly proven an unsuccessful stratagy. Steve Price, Nathan Brown, and Craig Young all come to mind as examples of failed coaches who came on that way.

The reasons are:- their knowing the ropes (internal structures and politics) seriously limits innovation.

It is unequivocally a liability to be promoted to the key position of ccoach from within.

Hec, Steve Price not standing up to the likes of Craig Young and Peter Doust stands as evidence of this.

Please Board Members... read this.

Please Board Members... don't make this same mistake AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Agree entirely. We need a body from outside who hasn't been poisoned yet. Watched Jason Taylor yesterday with roosters. Their halves operate well. Don't kick great but run the team around well

 

[Gomarchin]

i think the promotion 'through' the ranks from within has been repeatedly proven an unsuccessful stratagy. Steve price, nathan brown, and craig young all come to mind as examples of failed coaches who came on that way.

The reasons are:- their knowing the ropes (internal structures and politics) seriously limits innovation.

It is unequivocally a liability to be promoted to the key position of ccoach from within.

Hec, steve price not standing up to the likes of craig young and peter doust stands as evidence of this.

Please board members... Read this.

Please board members... Don't make this same mistake again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

+1000000000000000000000000000000000

 

[getsmarty]

Please tell me I just woke up from a nightmare....They have got to be kidding.

 

[TheRev]

The reasons are:- their knowing the ropes (internal structures and politics) seriously limits innovation.

Its an interesting thought.. because in my workplace (telco) id always rather someone be promoted internally, they bring all the product/system/company knowledge with them, they get how things work.. the externals come are full of good ideals, but they take forever to get off the ground because they dont understand how to work within the culture and limitations of the company.

But its a wide-pool to pull from in a big company, where as the Dragons is a very very small circle (bunch of mates).. and for a coach, an apprenticeship is tough.. you cant just learn it on the job as we saw with Brown, having the skillset isnt always enough, and if you get it wrong its public and you may not get a 2nd chance.

Im just rambling, despite my personal experiences... my head tells me that the Dragons have to recruit externally, its a different environment to corporate.... we need to change the culture quickly, we need to hit the 'reset button' and take the squad in a different direction, not just carry on as we were, because we were heading in the wrong direction.

I also think that of the candidates in-house have 0 1st grade experience, McGregor/Holbrook arent even impressing in the lower grades, there just seems to be no reason why you would choose them over a more qualified & experienced external.. unless club funds are the issue or you are just putting in an interim coach until end of season.

 

[stgill2001]

Isnt this just going to be the same as Nathan Brown taking over...Bloody ridiculous and outrageous but in saying that I personally is happy for him to have a go for the rest of the year to see if he really is up to standard? But all means sign someone up for next year!!!!!! Price is wrong bitch

 

[Black Forest Dragon]

Its an interesting thought.. because in my workplace (telco) id always rather someone be promoted internally, they bring all the product/system/company knowledge with them, they get how things work.. the externals come are full of good ideals, but they take forever to get off the ground because they dont understand how to work within the culture and limitations of the company.

But its a wide-pool to pull from in a big company, where as the Dragons is a very very small circle (bunch of mates).. and for a coach, an apprenticeship is tough.. you cant just learn it on the job as we saw with Brown, having the skillset isnt always enough, and if you get it wrong its public and you may not get a 2nd chance.

Im just rambling, despite my personal experiences... my head tells me that the Dragons have to recruit externally, its a different environment to corporate.... we need to change the culture quickly, we need to hit the 'reset button' and take the squad in a different direction, not just carry on as we were, because we were heading in the wrong direction.

I also think that of the candidates in-house have 0 1st grade experience, McGregor/Holbrook arent even impressing in the lower grades, there just seems to be no reason why you would choose them over a more qualified & experienced external.. unless club funds are the issue or you are just putting in an interim coach until end of season.

It is industry/situationally specific, but a good rule is to blend experiences and talent both from within and externally, much like good player recruiting blends rising stars with old heads to learn from to produce a well Balanced Team - i.e. "organically grown" (hate that terminology) and from other clubs or even leagues. (I'm sure you know this)

Internal promotion best suits technical requirements, but usually don't solve political problems but often makes them worse. External appointments the opposite. A good external recruit is more likely to challenge internal politics and structures and build new ones if given the authority - Wayne Bennett is a classic example. Such recruitments are usually less influenced by pre-existing personalities, in particular the dominant negative ones who have built their own power base and are used to getting their own way (eg. ostensibly Peter Doust and/or Craig Young).

I believe character is a hugely important quality of a good Coach, and that mostly involves strong leadership cabilities - of groups and individual men, along with the ability to implement new ideas. And of course he needs to be a good footy tachnician - but if he is lacking in that area, knows where to go get ideas. Again, that's a character trait, and is not a weakness, it's an open mind.

Dragons proving to be a great basket case ....I mean case study !!!

They are in real danger of letting domains of power and even nepotism guide decision making instead of lateral thinking, not seeing the woods through the trees so as to speak, and becoming quite dysfuntional as a consequence.

Org behaviour 101

 

[stgill2001]

Well seems to have none and makes excuses all the time, and the same goes with Doust. Look at the stronger teams Bellamy would give them a kick up the ass in the conference, but price says there still working when teams just know that we cant score.

 

[BennyV]

What has blocker roach got to do with our dragons coaching staff? Did he buddy up with him for a week of city/country or something?

Lets hope its not true, we need some experience and id like an outside perspective too, the boys need a fresh approach.

Are Young & Hornby any better? No idea if they are tactically minded, I know Young is a passionate player and ppl respect that, but thats just a starting point... Id back Hornby as being the smarter of the 2, always on top of his game.. but either way you would want a couple of years before we considered either.

I reckon Young and Hornby would be a great coaching combo in 5-10 years. They are very tactically minded, they can read the game, they are great leaders and command respect, and they actually look at the opposition and devise game plans based on that (just need to watch their segment on Dragons TV to see that). Youngy would work great with the forwards and with defense, while Hornby would do well coaching backs/attack.

On Mary - I read Gasnier's book and the way he speaks about McGregor makes you think that he would have the attributes to be a good coach. However, my head is saying NO NO NO NO NO NO NO x100000000.

 

[Mr Red]

Bennett comes in - first thing he does was remove McGregor.. enough said.

i wouldnt say his efforts with the cutters have been overly impressive, seems more of the inconsistency that Brown delivered IMO.'
and do they not remember the amount of injuries we used to have when McGregor was in charge of that area...
jesus Doust and the board keep on stumbling from one disaster to the next...

 

[jenninga]

Tis is the same Mcgregor which has had a near 1st grade pack all year at the Cutters and regularly goes to a 12-0 lead after 10 min,only to lose 36-24 regularly.

 

[Dr Fruitbasket Returns]

Do not, any of you, claim that you could not see this coming. Whinge about it by all means. But do not act all surprised and, like, "wait a minute they'd never seriously think about McGregor". It's been a live possibility since the off season.

For the record, f*** no. Unacceptable. But definitely still on the cards.