Briers ready to take the ‘right head coach role’
LEE Briers insists he is ‘ready’ to be a head coach, as long as the job is the right fit for him.
The former Warrington Wolves half-back is an assistant coach at NRL outfit Brisbane Broncos, with the desire to step up at an NRL or Super League club in the future.
Hull FC are still actively searching for a new head coach to replace Tony Smith. They made an approach for Salford boss Paul Rowley and were prepared to pay a fee to bring him to the club. However, Rowley has decided against a move.
That leaves Hull back to the drawing board, with Director of Rugby, Richie Myler making the head coach appointment his highest priority. And while it is unknown who the club will turn to next, Briers is making waves over in Australia, with the desire to step up to the coaching hot seat.
“With coaching, there aren’t many jobs out there but my ambition is to be a head coach whether that be in the NRL or Super League,” Briers told the BBC. “All I can keep doing is getting that experience and wait until that job comes. I’m not in a rush, I could be an assistant for the rest of my life.
“But I’m ready now, I’m ready to be a head coach if that’s now or in a few years time. I love it at the Broncos and I’m learning how to manage.
“There are a lot of big stars in the NRL, it’s a different beast so you are dealing with a different type of player. With superstars comes egos and there are different things you’ve got to manage.
“I know how to coach rugby league but the key being any boss in any environment is the man management of your staff and the people you employ so I’m learning loads about that. The job has to fit me, I’m not going to walk into any job.
“It’s got to be the right one because at the moment I’m in the best place to learn.”
Briers retired from playing in 2013 after making over 400 appearances for the Wire. He is St Helens born, and made his debut for the Saints before switching clubs.
He moved to Brisbane ahead of the 2023 season after working under Matt Peet at Wigan Warriors, helping the Broncos reach the NRL Grand Final last season.