The Wests Tigers are about to do it again.
Multiple reports indicate that the Wests Tigers are about to relieve Michael Maguire of his role as coach of the club.
The old 'fire the coach' quick fix.
The very same quick fix that has failed to propel the Tigers to the finals for a literal decade now.
Why the Tigers would remove a premiership-winning coach without an obvious replacement option standing above the rest is a question for another time but it did kick-off some thinking.
Who is the next cab off the ranks when it comes to the next NRL coach?
Craig Fitzgibbon has long been the assistant coach chased by multiple clubs and offered a full-time first grade coaching job.
Now that he has committed his future to the Sharks, who does it leave?
Below are five options I believe are ready to step either up, or back into, a first grade coaching gig. Potentially even the Tigers top job
For as long as I can remember, there have been two young assistants who are largely considered the next break out coaches.
The aforementioned Craig Fitzgibbon and former Penrith caretaker Cameron Ciraldo.
Ciraldo comes with a tremendous pedigree. He was supposedly chased, hard, by the Sharks, to form a super coaching team with Fitzgibbon.
Penrith players celebrated as if they had just won a huge game when Ciraldo announced he was staying in his role for 2021.
Ciraldo is undoubtedly the best young coach on the market. At only 36 years-of-age Ciraldo has many, many years ahead of him coaching wise.
If he wins a title as assistant coach his value will rise yet again. Not that I don't fully expect the Tigers to throw themselves as him as is.
Ciraldo handled a very difficult circumstance extremely well in 2018. He was handed the top job, on a part time basis, weeks out from the finals. He oversaw them as they came within a point of a preliminary final.
If Ciraldo is available, and you have to believe only a first grade coaching gig would convince him to leave his current role, then I believe he will quickly become the most sought after option.
Every bit of chatter points to Paul Green stepping in quickly if the Tigers job becomes available.
The former premiership-winning coach recently stepped down from an Origin role he was guaranteed for next season.
Surely that indicates he has something on the horizon. Possibly a first grade coaching position to return to?
Green has a resume that should make him a standout option right away. He has a title to his name, Origin coaching experience and is still on the younger scale of coaches.
I'm not sure what went wrong at the Cowboys. I don't think Green himself knows what went wrong.
Given his track record I'm sure potential suitors will be able to look past his most recent dip in results at the Cowboys.
Green doesn't present the most exciting option but I'd be shocked if his career goes the way of Geoff Toovey in that he doesn't land another job.
Rugby League Outlaws preview the Prelims and talk the Tigers mess
If Ciraldo isn't the next young coach in line for a position it could be Jason Ryles. The big difference between the two is that Ryles is available.
He was working with the England Rugby Union side until recently, however left the role. My guess is Covid travel restrictions made his role very difficult.
I have no doubt that he'll end up in a role sooner rather than later. The Tigers gig looks to be coming available, however I don't believe it will be vacant for very long.
Ryles served his apprenticeship under Craig Bellamy for five years. There is no better way to spend your years in an assistant coaching role.
The former Origin and Kangaroo regular won't be available for very long. Perhaps a first grade role is a little unlikely right now but he'll be an NRL coach sooner rather than later.
I was really shocked when Dean Young signed to join the Cowboys as an assistant. After finishing the 2020 season caretaker coach for the Dragons I thought a full time gig was next.
Young will coach an NRL side in the not too distant future. I have him just behind Ciraldo and Ryles although one could argue that might mean he is less picky.
The Tigers aren't going to have the pick of the litter given their results, squad and the fact they keep sacking coaches.
Young has shown he can coach at the top level in tough situations. His win rate of two from seven is terrible but given the circumstances he was forced into, any win at all is hard to believe.
The former Dragon legend is a first grade coach in the making. It may not be right away but he may jump the queue if the situation is right.
Controversy alert!
I am torn completely re the future of Shane Flanagan. I dare say that NRL clubs must have the same feeling or else he'd be linked to every role.
In terms of coaching abilities, Flanagan is the best on this list. He delivered a premiership to the Sharks. The Sharks!
His past, although full of coaching success, is also full of controversy. I'm not sure NRL clubs are willing to take that risk, and negative attention, unless forced.
The Tigers should absolutely be looking at Flanagan. They're in a dire position and Flanagan is not afraid to take risks or make tough decisions.
I'm not sure Flanagan's days as a coach are done just yet however I can't see a side other than the Tigers (or possibly the Dogs) who are in a position to take the risk.