Mcguire: I’m absolutely loving my new KR role
DANNY Mcguire has a spring in his step in his role as assistant coach and is excited to see how far Hull KR can go as a team.
The 38-year-old joined Tony Smith’s coaching staff in the off-season and got to work when the squad reported back to Craven Park at the end of December.
Mcguire stayed on after hanging up his boots in 2019, heading up KR’S recruitment and spending some time working with the club’s half-backs and youngsters.
But becoming a full-time coach has given Super League’s all-time record tryscorer a buzz that had been missing since he called time on his glittering playing career, as well as a newfound respect for his old bosses.
“I’m absolutely loving it,” Mcguire told the Mail.
“I feel like I’ve got a bit more purpose and I’m thinking a lot more day to day.
“The players have been brilliant and have bought into everything. We’ve got a really good set of lads who are hungry to improve.
“It feels so easy to coach players that are enthusiastic, receptive and want to get better.
“I’m really enjoying working with Tony, Hodgey (David Hodgson) and Stan (Gene). We’ve got a nice little combination and understanding going.
“I’m excited to get out of bed every morning and plan the sessions. It’s a lot harder than playing.
“I’ve got a lot more respect for the coaches that I’ve had now!
“You’ve always got to plan and prepare.
“You want to make it a good session for the lads so they enjoy it. You feel a little bit of pressure there as well.
“It’s been really good and I’m excited to see how far we can go.”
Mcguire replaced Willie Poching after his former Leeds Rhinos teammate left Craven Park to assist Chris Chester at Wakefield Trinity.
Smith has not given specific roles to any of his coaches since taking over from Tim Sheens midway through 2019, conscious that blame and praise should be shared equally.
Mcguire is working closely with the club’s half-backs as Rovers look to tap into his wealth of experience but the former Great Britain and England international is mucking in across the board.
“We’re just all bouncing off each other at the minute,” he added.
“You’ve got to have a good understanding and good communication, not just with the coaches but the conditioning side of things and the physios. Tony is obviously the boss and overseeing things. He’s letting myself, Hodge and Stan get stuck into the coaching.
“I wouldn’t say there’s specific offence and defence coaches or anything like that. We’re all just sort of bouncing things off each other.
“It seems to be working pretty well at the minute.”