It happens every year and this one is no different, as coaches make way for interim coaches and others start to get very nervous, especially when they are given the dreaded vote of confidence by the chairman.

But then there is the other side to the coaching merry-go-round, the side that opens up an opportunity for a new coach at the helm of his new club, as well as the ones just waiting in the wings for the job they’ve always wanted, so what have we learned so far this season, and what might we see moving forward?

For quite some time, Rohan Smith was under pressure at Leeds Rhinos, and has now, as we all know, lost his job, the same as his uncle Tony at Hull FC.

The interesting part about the Rohan Smith situation is that superstar Aussie coach Brad Arthur, who was recently relieved of his position at Parramatta Eels in the NRL, will be brought in soon as interim head coach at Headingley, taking over from current interim head coach Chev Walker until the end of the season, before a long-term appointment is made, making the position the very definition of a coaching merry-go-round.

In the meantime, I have very reliable information that, while Trent Barrett is in temporary charge at Parramatta, it seems that Jason Ryles will be the new man in charge there come the start of next season.

Hull FC, of course have Simon Grix in temporary charge until the end of the season, when NRL legend John Cartwright will takeover as the new permanent (or as permanent as any coach can get) head coach, but the other interesting bit of information I have is that it’s been reported in Australia (although I can’t say it is conformed) that he will be bringing Lee Briers with him as his assistant, with the Brisbane Broncos having decided to let the former Welsh international go, having said that I will put a caveat in place, that this could simply be a case of putting Cartwright and Briers together again, because they have worked together at the Broncos, although it does appear to have some traction down under.

Meanwhile, one coach who will definitely be biting his fingernails is current Huddersfield head coach Ian Watson, with the smart money being on him to be the next Super League head coach to be shown the door after a few years of under-achievement despite massive investment by chairman Ken Davy, with only a very close-run Challenge Cup Final to show for their collective efforts and probably looking at failing to make the playoffs again this season.

There are also applications being taken from amateur teams to join League One in 2025, with whichever side that is accepted, obviously looking for an experienced, but still up and coming coach to take the reigns for their early stages involved in professional rugby league.

Of course, many names will be banded around for any job that becomes available, it is the nature of the beast, for instance I daresay that Tony Smith is bound to be connected particularly with former clubs Leeds and, should Ian Watson get his expected P45, Huddersfield Giants.

Another experienced coach, although one more on the fringes, Trev Smith, who is known to be seeking a way back over to England at the earliest opportunity, may be another contender for the Giants job should it become available, with him having a big connection to that area having lived and worked there before, during a spell when he spotted a certain Mr Dom Young, who now plies his trade in the NRL and at international level with England.

This all, of course leaves us wondering, what will Brad Arthur do at the end of the season, having already ruled himself out of the permanent position at the Rhinos, and where does Trent Barrett end up after Jason Ryles takes over at Parra, could his coaching future lie in England?

One thing I think we all know for certain, it’s certainly going to be a bit of a white-knuckle ride on the coaching merry-go-round for the next few months!

Written by Ian Judson (Site contributor & Hull FC fan)