LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
"In the game plan": Flanagan throws weight behind key assistant for head coaching gig.
St George Illawarra Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has given his full support to Dean Young for a shot at becoming an NRL head coach, but he emphasized the need for patience in the process.
According to reports from zerotackle.com, Young, a former premiership-winning player with the Dragons, is currently serving his second term as an assistant coach at the Red V.
His time at the club was briefly interrupted by a coaching stint at the North Queensland Cowboys, where he also earned high praise from Todd Payten.
The ex-Dragons' forward only departed the Red V when he was overlooked for the top coaching job, which ultimately went to Anthony Griffin instead of him to replace Paul McGregor.
However, Young, who has also gained experience with Kristian Woolf's Tongan coaching team and recently secured a role as an assistant coach for New South Wales Blues under Laurie Daley, is now back at the Dragons.
Flanagan described him as being "on the pathway".
"He's on the pathway.
It's really important for me that young coaches take their time and don't rush," Flanagan shared with the media in a classic Rugby League analogy.