Date: 12/11/18
Toronto Wolfpack are delighted to confirm four-time Super League champion and two-time Challenge Cup winner Brian McDermott as the team’s new Head Coach. The appointment marks a huge statement of intent ahead of the new season as the Wolfpack strive to be bigger, better and stronger in challenging for promotion from the Betfred Championship in 2019.
Brian Noble MBE, Toronto Wolfpack’s Director of Rugby, commented:
“We are delighted to bring in a Head Coach of Brian’s Calibre, who we believe can lead us to the Super League. Brian is a world class coach and we are extremely excited that he has come on board with the Wolfpack. His track record in the game speaks for itself and having known Brian for many years, I know he has all the right attributes to take the Club forward.”
At 48-years-old, McDermott is one of the most distinguished coaches in all of Rugby, having led Super League giants Leeds Rhinos to a period of immense success since the turn of the decade, winning eight trophies, including the 2012 World Club Challenge against Manly Warringah Sea Eagles of the NRL.
Brian McDermott, new Head Coach of Toronto Wolfpack, added:
“After being at the Rhinos for so long, I always knew I couldn’t just roll into any other club so easily. Toronto Wolfpack offers a challenge and ambition that not many other clubs have, already demonstrating this with how they’ve gone about getting to this stage.”
“I’m excited on being a part of something that could genuinely be a game changer for Rugby League in the UK.”
As a player, McDermott spent nine years at Bradford Bulls, three of which were under Brian Noble, who was the club’s Head Coach from 2001 to 2006. Together the pair won two Super League championships at Odsal Stadium, as well as a Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge title in a period of domination for the Bulls with McDermott as captain. Now the duo are ready to team up once again to build on what was a fantastic 2018 campaign for the Wolfpack.
McDermott has previously shown a commitment to growing the game in North America, having coached the United States National Team between 2015 and 2018. He successfully guided the Hawks through qualifying and to take part in the 2017 Rugby World Cup Finals in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
With fixtures due to be announced in the coming weeks, McDermott will get straight to work on building his squad for the upcoming season. The Wolfpack announced six high profile signings last month, laying out their intentions for all to see, with the additions of NRL star Ricky Leutele as well as top line Super League stars Jon Wilkin, Gadwin Springer, Bodene Thompson, Joe Mellor and Tom Olbison.
