At the moment Brian McDermott is struggling at Leeds, Karl Harrison struggled at Salford, both of them were prop forwards as players

As people both of them look like they won't stand for any nonsense and they both have an intimidating look about them, would that make training enjoyable if you were a player due to their persona. As an example, Tony Smith looks more approachable, also when he's sat in the stand he has that air of confidence about him where more often than not he keeps his cool even if something hasn't gone to plan yet the players know whats expected of them without having too much pressure put on them.

In a similar situation with Karl Harrison it wasn't hard to read his thoughts with basic lip reading skills, Brian McDermott just looks far too intimidating and glum faced when sat in the stand or on the touchline and you'd be fearful of making a mistake, how can that give you confidence as a player ? Everyone needs a confidence booster from time to time.

This would be one for Sally, generally what type of ex player or persons have made the best head coaches. Over here Brian Noble was a hooker, Tony Smith was a stand off in his playing days and they are 2 of the most successful coaches in recent times in SL.

At the end of they day it probably boils down too whether you have the right credentials and skills or not to be a head coach, people management is a big thing in coaching and Tony Smith looks to have that by the bucket load and i guess thats something you can't coach.

Well, in keeping the with the prop forward thought, i know dale laughton prior to his 'porridge' struggled to get around in coaching, he helped out with aston at sheffield for a while nad was at some amateur club in yorkshire, he found it a struggle at that level trying to convey information and instructions to his players and got very frustrated and walked away. And as mentioned we know how his story ended for the time being.

Could be something in it, thick yorkshiremen prop.


On a similar thought, Cullen. When he joined us, i thought, well, you knew what you were getting with him as a player, offensively, a bit limited, but defensively, hot and committed, and i expected that to transfers off to the players in preperation, and for our attack to not be all that good, or expansive, and strangely it was probably the opposite way round for him.

Policemen......
Wayne Bennett

and you could say best British ex Bobby - Brian Noble

Experience counts for a lot, I have been doing amateur and junior for nearly ten years now and for most of that time I was just a complete chancer and made loads of mistakes. I have learned from those mistakes now though and I feel I am a much better, calmer and more thoughtful coach.

Unfortunately at the higher levels, rarely is anyone given time to make mistakes and develop as a coach and some promising individuals are thrown on the scrap-heap very early. Mind you there are others who seem to live a charmed life...Jimmy Lowes I am looking at you.

Can I just add that I think Tony Smiths ability is in man management and the way he empowers his players.

Jack Gibson played prop. I think it is more about the composition of the individual.

When ever your coaching a team i think man management skills are the most important - if you can get your messages through to individuals - your team coaching will follow.

all the best coaches in team sports are excellent man managers

The best coaches seem to be the ones that are cool and calm at all times in public yet I'd guess aren't scared to hand out a bol*ocking behind closed doors if needs be. They will always back their lads wherever possible in public and that gains them the respect of the whole group meaning they listen when the flak comes their way in private. These coaches breed a no excuse culture and don't blame their failings on others.

Tony Smith and Michael Maguire strike me as those types so it's no surprise they're the best at what they do.

Guys like McDermott, Agar and Kear on the other hand.....

Tim Sheens played prop as well. He's not done too badly as a coach.

You'd naturally think a leader/directing halfback on the pitch would equate to being a good coach and a thick daft forward wouldn't.

But then you look at players like Schofield and Goulding and think pah and then on the other side Mal Reilly and Graeme West have won a bit.

I think the main thing is how observant are they, the ability to see where a player is failing individually and in the team and then how are they able to change that. Putting across what you want in a way the player understands isn't easy.

Even in my own line of work, some people are easier to get through to than others, you need to balance your time between the different types and convey the same message only differently.

I'd say patience, vision, psychology, intelligence and confidence and a little X factor

Derren Brown ?

no he's channel 4 not itv

Leadership, man management, motivation and above all respect

The correct answer to this thread is, without any shadow of a doubt, 'a man'.