LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Another former NRL head coach has emerged as a candidate for the vacant Newcastle Knights coaching role, following the dismissal of Adam O'Brien.
While Blake Green and Justin Holbrook lead the list of frontrunners, other names such as Dragons assistant Dean Young, Wests Tigers assistant John Morris, and Roosters assistant Max King have also entered the mix. Recently, another candidate has stepped forward.
According to Brent Read on Triple M Breakfast with Beau, Cat and Woodsy, Paul McGregor has expressed his desire to regain a head coaching position in the NRL and has indicated interest in taking over the Newcastle Knights.
McGregor, a former NRL centre, previously served as an assistant for the New South Wales Blues during the 2022 and 2023 State of Origin series. He has a 46% winning percentage from his time as head coach with the St George Illawarra Dragons, a position he held from 2014 to 2020 after taking over from Steve Price. Additionally, he has worked as a consultant with the Parramatta Eels and declined an opportunity to join Todd Payten's coaching staff at the North Queensland Cowboys last year.
This announcement coincides with Willie Peters' decision to withdraw from the coaching race to concentrate on his role with Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League. "With Willie, we have been talking about it because they have asked us to apply," Peters' manager Braith Anasta stated on NRL360.