Brian McDermott named new Toronto Wolfpack head coach

Toronto Wolfpack have confirmed Brian McDermott as their new head coach.

The ambitious Trans-Atlantic club has moved to secure Super League’s most successful ever coach following the departure of Paul Rowley this week.

The 48-year-old returns to the sport after a five-month absence, having been sacked by Leeds Rhinos earlier this year following a seven-game losing streak that saw the defending Super League champions finish in the bottom four.

But during his time at Leeds, McDermott enjoyed unparalleled success in the Super League era. In his seven seasons in charge, the former Great Britain international won four Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups and the World Club Challenge.

In 2015, Leeds famously won the treble, becoming only the third side in Super League history to win all three major trophies in one season. Upon his departure from Leeds, McDermott left as the club’s and Super League’s most successful ever coach.

Now, he will take on an entirely new challenge in Toronto, the Candian club looking to secure their place in Super League having missed out on promotion this year in the Million Pound Game.

Despite being unsuccessful in their promotion attempts last season, the Wolfpack have enjoyed plenty of success, earning automatic promotion from League 1 in their inaugural season before winning the Championship at the first attempt. During the Qualifiers, Toronto won five of their seven games, which included victories over Super League clubs Widnes and Leeds.

McDermott will inherit a squad blessed with Super League and NRL experience. The likes of the Cronulla centre, Ricky Leutele, have agreed to join the club next season and will link up with a side featuring the likes of Gareth O’Brien and Darcy Lussick, who McDermott was reportedly interested in signing earlier this year.

As a player, McDermott spent his entire career at Bradford, making over 250 appearances for the club after joining in 1994. His time with the Bulls saw him taste Challenge Cup, Grand Final and World Club Challenge success. Before that, he had spent five years as a Royal Marine and was a talented boxer.

While his playing career saw him remain in his home county, his time as a coach has seen him spend time at London and as the national coach of the USA.

Now, he will take on another exciting challenge.