Everything should be counted as it's down to votes by other SL coaches (according to Carney)
My opinion is based on Watson's ability to get the best out of his team of 'average' players, not a coach like Lam who has infinitely more resources.

The baseline can’t be zero. How can it possibly be from a level playing field?

That makes no sense.

If Chris Chester takes Wakefield into the top 4/5 next year he will undoubtedly win coach of the year even if Lam for example does the clean sweep.

Holbrook won it last year despite Watson taking Salford to the Grand Final, so in that example I would still expect Lam to win it especially if we were dominant.

It should be judged on expectation for me where possible. Watson taking Salford to a Grand Final is IMO a bigger achievement than Saints finishing top.

Of course it does - you can't factor in a previous seasons performance.

It's exactly the same as the player of the season awards, no one is looking at McShane and factoring in what he did in 2019. If anything the stats say he's got worse.

Like Egg Chasing said it's based on merit.

Supporters should be proud that any Wigan Coach is selected as winner of the Coach of the Year Award irrespective of who he is!

totally agree Ruddy Duck