So Hetherington has been the most influential man at Leeds during the period of success? I don't think you can argue with that. Coaches have come and gone, so have players.



When you consider the mess Leeds were in when he arrived he should be revered a lot more than he is.

Believe in the sleeve.

I believe McDermott rates as good as any coach we have had. He took over after a very unchampion looking side had mostly played boring one up rugby in McLennan's last year. True he inherited a champion pedigree squad but we should remember the stars of the side were showing distinct signs of being past their best. He also took over with 2 of our best players out with long term injuries and his season started with a spate of injuries which at one stage left him with only 1 prop. The key players struggled with form for much of the season and it is to his great credit that he kept faith with these same players and motivated them to a Wembley final and a super run in to win the GF from a record making 5th place. To repeat this in his second year is no coincidence and should have convinced those doubters he has something special.



Many of his critics forget his important contribution as assistant coach to Smith (who he had previously helped in gaining Hudderfield promotion)



Rugby more than most sports relies on team spirit and working for each other. Players understand this which is why most of the squad rate him highly as he remains loyal to his choices.



Ok some of his selections and interchange decisions can raise eyebrows but it is his call and he knows which players can best achieve his game plans.



He is presiding over a tricky transitional period with tough choices that none of his predecessors had to face and he is also having to do it without the comfort that they had of recruiting a slot-in Aussie signing when the need arises. Therefore it would be reasonable to expect a couple of years without silverware...but I am sure this is not in Big Mac's script.

Yes, but if it is difficult to assess the contribution of a coach to success, it is even harder to assess the contribution of an assistant.



Many Bulls fans reckon McNamara was a major reason Bradford won the GF in 2005, yet he went on to accomplish very little in his career as senior coach (the Bulls still had most of their top players in 2005, including Peacock, Vainikolo, Hape, Fielden, Pryce + Morley etc). Similarly, some blamed the assistant coaches for the failure of McNamara's teams from 2007 onwards. McDermott's coaching at London was not successful, and the team finished progressively lower with him as coach.



What is the evidence that Brian Mac was a major contributing factor to previous success at Leeds when he was assistant? As opposed to the likes of other assistants like Poching, Cummins, Lowes?



I don't have a particular axe to grind here by the way.

Having a good chairman (Paul Caddick) with deep pockets provided a bit of help too as did the dawn of summer rugby which revitalised the whole game.

He will incontrovertibly go down in the annals of history as a 'successful' coach ....and who can begrudge him the shared glory in the last two magnificent (unexpected) GF victories. I can't and don't



However, for consistent entertainment value throughout the regular season he leaves much to be desired. I cannot answer for anybody else but personally I do not look forward to watching any regular SL matches with the same enthusiasm as in recent seasons: a combination of being guaranteed the same old tired faces regardless of form or claims from the u-19's (unless he has no choice of course) and a hopeless. clueless inability/lack of coached ideas near the try line.

The failure to win a CC final is a puzzle when reviewed in the light of the GF victories.



I do think he will be at Leeds for a while longer: there is every chance Leeds can still win another GF this season owing to the general paucity of good consistent competition within SL at the moment.



Oh and anybody that can select Vickery as often as he did surely loses some of that unquestioning respect from some on here

You are correct about Caddick , he set out the format which has brought about success on the field, also it looks like we are financially sound.

Prior to Paul Caddick taking over I gather we were just about bust, also certain people trying to buy the club at that time did not have the clubs best interests to heart.

One person allegedly trying to buy into the club went bankrupt a few years after trying to buy into the club.

difficult one. you cannot knock his record.

2 seasons

4 finals

2 wins

outstanding.

however, there has to be a however, he baffles the hell out of me.

his use of replacements and lack of using them all, seemingly flogging older players.

his brilliant work with backs but not the forwards is also odd given his playing position. add that with not replacing buderus.

a real enigma our brian

2 WCC finals too. The lack of replacement of Buderus would be down to GF not BM. Let's hope you keep being baffled by BM then

I don't count WCC as they are as a result of winning something else

why do you always paint our coaches in a negative light in terms of their personalty?



I seem to remember you insinuating Smith was some kind of evil dictator who treated everyone like kids when he was here.



There always seems to be this innuendo and snide comments, what the f*ck man, why do you character assasinate our coaches?