Phil Mooney goooooooonnnnee
- Thread starter Sully
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although this does suck, its actually the decision that needed to be made, unless Mooney and the QLD Reds made a remarkable rise up the ladder in 2010, then his position what always going to be called into question.
His contract finished next year, at exactly the same time that a new team was coming onto the scene, the uncertainty over his coaching position would have negatively effected the Reds player recruitment and retention, ala western force.
Having all this bloodshed this year, rather then delaying the inevitble and again causing instability next year is actually a positive for the Reds in the long term.
His contract finished next year, at exactly the same time that a new team was coming onto the scene, the uncertainty over his coaching position would have negatively effected the Reds player recruitment and retention, ala western force.
Having all this bloodshed this year, rather then delaying the inevitble and again causing instability next year is actually a positive for the Reds in the long term.
Epi
Dave Cowper (27)
Re: The Rugby Club Rumour
I like Link but you are right. He knows nothing about backs - Campo said as much (not that that means anything..).
That particular decision pretty much ended Morgs wallaby aspirations that night, and anyone looking at the program saw it coming. How come Link didn't? I think there's some rose tinted glasses around now that Hickey has turned out to be even worse...
Ash said:
I like Link but you are right. He knows nothing about backs - Campo said as much (not that that means anything..).
That particular decision pretty much ended Morgs wallaby aspirations that night, and anyone looking at the program saw it coming. How come Link didn't? I think there's some rose tinted glasses around now that Hickey has turned out to be even worse...
Aussie D
Desmond Connor (43)
How in the world is Mooney to blame for the basket case the Reds have become. If anything they have improved under his tenure. Half of their problems stems from the fact they have had 5 coaches over the last 9 seasons. This has had an effect to some degree on the high turnover of players. The Reds need stability at the top. Hopefully whoever takes over is there for a minimum of 5 years.
Is Pat Howard still living in Brisbane? He'd be worth a shout.
Is Pat Howard still living in Brisbane? He'd be worth a shout.
S
Spook
Guest
Mooney's greatest fault was loyalty. I thought the Reds were improving under him - yes they had some shockers but there was improvement.
I really feel sorry for Phil. It is the curse of the modern professional coach - if the team fails, their job is on the line. The Reds have bigger problems than Mooney, and to me it sounds a bit like people covering their own arses because they have under-performed maybe more than the coach. Losing some of the players they have recently has been the big curse, and I don't think it was all down to them being dissatisfied with the coach. Maybe I'm wrong.
liquor box
Peter Sullivan (51)
I for one am glad he is going, have a look at the results he has had (yes the players have a lot to do with it), no other coach in any sport should be kept with 6 wins in 2 seasons.
He has had some good players in his time and really had to expect this at some point.
He has had some good players in his time and really had to expect this at some point.
1) You inherit a basket case team. Do you
a) build the nucleus of a strong forward platform and grind out some wins
or
b) go for BBQ footy and feed up Leroy Houston
Mooney chose (b), I can understand the bullet. Also, if selection/retention is a modern head coach's core skill, he had a shocker.
Link, should he be nuts enough to put himself in the hands of the administrational clusterfuck that is the QRU, would at least be able to do (a), which is what the Reds need. He'd be crazy to though.
Does the new board have no balls or no clue? Consultants don't work for free either.
a) build the nucleus of a strong forward platform and grind out some wins
or
b) go for BBQ footy and feed up Leroy Houston
Mooney chose (b), I can understand the bullet. Also, if selection/retention is a modern head coach's core skill, he had a shocker.
Link, should he be nuts enough to put himself in the hands of the administrational clusterfuck that is the QRU, would at least be able to do (a), which is what the Reds need. He'd be crazy to though.
Does the new board have no balls or no clue? Consultants don't work for free either.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Why weren't the players consulted?
This from the Brisbane Times:
*****************
Star Queensland Reds back Digby Ioane has slammed the Queensland Rugby Union's decision to fire coach Phil Mooney as "bullshit", describing as disgraceful that players were informed of his dismissal this morning by text message.
Mooney's sacking, with a year remaining on his three-year deal at Ballymore, has stunned the playing group and opened the door to a potential player revolt at the struggling Super 14 franchise.
After waking to rumours that their coach may be on the way out, the players held a meeting after a weights session at rugby headquarters this morning. Later they were informed by SMS that Mooney was no longer their coach.
"We had a meeting this morning about what's going to happen," said Ioane, the Reds player of the season. "But I didn't take it too seriously - I thought it was a gee-up, I thought it was a joke.
"Then we got a text that they had terminated his contract.
"It's a load of bullshit I reckon, to be honest. He's a great coach - it doesn't take two years to win (the Super 14).
"You've seen changes in those two years. We had other coaches, like Eddie Jones, leave and it got left to Phil to clean up and to be honest he did a great job."
Ioane, who signed a new two-year contract after protracted negotiations, said he was particularly upset about the way the players were told the news.
"I reckon it's just a disgrace," he said.
"It's not professional how we just rocked up this morning and your coach has just got fired and there's a team there."
"To hear that Phil Mooney is leaving, I think it's just pathetic. They didn't even warn us. They could have been professional and told the players first of all what was going on. None of us saw it coming."
Ioane said he had decided to stay at Ballymore amid offers from overseas and rival Super 14 clubs because Mooney was in charge.
"I'm more hurt because I just signed for two years - this is where I want to spend my career with Phil Mooney by my side," he said.
"If he's not there, what's next? I wouldn't have a clue."
He said the players were likely to hold a team meeting on Monday where he will raise the stunning prospect of calling on the QRU to give Mooney his job back.
"The players love him and he's a good coach," Ioane said. "At least give him one more year to prove himself. I see things changing.
"All the boys want him to coach again. If the boys can help I guess they'll put their hand up and try and get him back."
Reds fullback Mark McLinden described the news of Mooney's departure as "a bit of a shock".
"There have been a lot of people moving on in the administration but it wasn't something that you really thought about," he said.
"We were looking forward to next year, knowing that Phil was the coach.
"It's not something I'd put a lot of thought into yet."
McLinden said Mooney had played a central role in luring him from rugby league to the Reds.
"I feel for him - my relationship with him will be ongoing. I'll consult him with queries as I have this year," he said.
"He was well-liked. I enjoyed my time under him and learned a lot from him.
"But the Reds have made a decision - we've just got to get on with it."
This from the Brisbane Times:
*****************
Star Queensland Reds back Digby Ioane has slammed the Queensland Rugby Union's decision to fire coach Phil Mooney as "bullshit", describing as disgraceful that players were informed of his dismissal this morning by text message.
Mooney's sacking, with a year remaining on his three-year deal at Ballymore, has stunned the playing group and opened the door to a potential player revolt at the struggling Super 14 franchise.
After waking to rumours that their coach may be on the way out, the players held a meeting after a weights session at rugby headquarters this morning. Later they were informed by SMS that Mooney was no longer their coach.
"We had a meeting this morning about what's going to happen," said Ioane, the Reds player of the season. "But I didn't take it too seriously - I thought it was a gee-up, I thought it was a joke.
"Then we got a text that they had terminated his contract.
"It's a load of bullshit I reckon, to be honest. He's a great coach - it doesn't take two years to win (the Super 14).
"You've seen changes in those two years. We had other coaches, like Eddie Jones, leave and it got left to Phil to clean up and to be honest he did a great job."
Ioane, who signed a new two-year contract after protracted negotiations, said he was particularly upset about the way the players were told the news.
"I reckon it's just a disgrace," he said.
"It's not professional how we just rocked up this morning and your coach has just got fired and there's a team there."
"To hear that Phil Mooney is leaving, I think it's just pathetic. They didn't even warn us. They could have been professional and told the players first of all what was going on. None of us saw it coming."
Ioane said he had decided to stay at Ballymore amid offers from overseas and rival Super 14 clubs because Mooney was in charge.
"I'm more hurt because I just signed for two years - this is where I want to spend my career with Phil Mooney by my side," he said.
"If he's not there, what's next? I wouldn't have a clue."
He said the players were likely to hold a team meeting on Monday where he will raise the stunning prospect of calling on the QRU to give Mooney his job back.
"The players love him and he's a good coach," Ioane said. "At least give him one more year to prove himself. I see things changing.
"All the boys want him to coach again. If the boys can help I guess they'll put their hand up and try and get him back."
Reds fullback Mark McLinden described the news of Mooney's departure as "a bit of a shock".
"There have been a lot of people moving on in the administration but it wasn't something that you really thought about," he said.
"We were looking forward to next year, knowing that Phil was the coach.
"It's not something I'd put a lot of thought into yet."
McLinden said Mooney had played a central role in luring him from rugby league to the Reds.
"I feel for him - my relationship with him will be ongoing. I'll consult him with queries as I have this year," he said.
"He was well-liked. I enjoyed my time under him and learned a lot from him.
"But the Reds have made a decision - we've just got to get on with it."
Simple really, Lee.
These days the players are just employees, or at least that's the message from head office and JON. It isn't a socialist workers co-operative, they're just paychecks.
I agree it stinks to do it this way, but I am not surprised.
It is interesting that the players would feel so strongly if he really was so shit.
These days the players are just employees, or at least that's the message from head office and JON. It isn't a socialist workers co-operative, they're just paychecks.
I agree it stinks to do it this way, but I am not surprised.
It is interesting that the players would feel so strongly if he really was so shit.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
I think this consultative group probably did work for free, one of the articles mentioned it was made up of Horan and a couple of other ex players (can't remember which and can't be bothered looking back).
PS I think the Mooney decision is more about retention of players past the end of next season, but if this is the case they must have a big name coach in mind. Howard, Link or Connolly are the only ones I can think of that might be available.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
cyclopath said:
They really should have called a players meeting on friday morning prior to the press conference to inform them. They may just be employees, but even employees in a well run company are likely to find out in person that there boss has been fired rather than through a text message! We have already found out that star players such as Barnes can have a big effect on the management personnel above them, so it would be prudent to treat them with respect. McCall's man management skills have already been called into question through this incident, only days after assuming the position.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26060839-2722,00.html
Some good points about how poor the timing of the Reds management has been.
Some good points about how poor the timing of the Reds management has been.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Sergreant Slaughter has already linked with Link.
This from AAP
****************
Ewen McKenzie is at, or near, the top of a "long list" of candidates to be embattled Queensland's seventh Reds coach in a decade of turmoil.
But the man whose own axing in 2000 triggered a domino-like sequence of short-term coaching stints, John Connolly, is near the bottom.
McKenzie has emerged as a favourite for what has been a poisoned-chalice post after the sacking of a shattered Phil Mooney, two unsuccessful Super 14 seasons into his three-year contract.
McKenzie led the Waratahs to three Super 12/14 finals series in five years in charge and is a close friend of new QRU chairman Rod McCall, who delivered the news to Mooney on Friday morning.
McCall admitted he had already sounded out an interested McKenzie just days after his 1991 World Cup-winning Test team-mate had himself been sacked as coach of Paris glamour club Stade Francais.
The Melbourne-raised former Wallabies prop has been seen as a leading contender as coach, or even chief executive, for the proposed Victorian team in an expanded Super 15 in 2011.
"He has been lined up with all this talk of Melbourne but the only thing he said to me was 'Melbourne is a long way away' and of course he'd be interested," McCall said.
"Other people, and Ewen included, have mentioned that this is a great challenge and something they would look forward to."
The QRU have only once in its long history recruited an outsider to coach the Reds and that ended in disaster when Eddie Jones took them to the wooden spoon in 2007.
But McCall stressed maroon blood was not a pre-requisite, as they look for a "quality" coach whose reputation can help overturn their perennial problem of luring stars from interstate and overseas.
"I think we're about getting the best coach available, a high-profile person who can attract a couple of international players from other franchises," he said.
But McCall bluntly denied Connolly, who last coached the Wallabies at the 2007 World Cup, was a prime candidate.
"It's a long list and I don't know how close to the bottom he would be but he'd be pretty close to the bottom," he said of the former 12-year Reds mentor.
"I just think John hasn't coached for a while and there's quite a lot of blokes right in the middle of high-level professional coaching delivering good results and we need to be focussed on someone like that."
Connolly's long-time lieutenant Michael Foley, now forwards coach at NSW, who played a key role in Reds vice-captain Berrick Barnes' defection to the Waratahs, also looms as a potential successor to Mooney.
The QRU will aim to have a short-list in place in a fortnight with a view to appointing Mooney's successor well before players reassemble for preseason training in five weeks.
- AAP
This from AAP
****************
Ewen McKenzie is at, or near, the top of a "long list" of candidates to be embattled Queensland's seventh Reds coach in a decade of turmoil.
But the man whose own axing in 2000 triggered a domino-like sequence of short-term coaching stints, John Connolly, is near the bottom.
McKenzie has emerged as a favourite for what has been a poisoned-chalice post after the sacking of a shattered Phil Mooney, two unsuccessful Super 14 seasons into his three-year contract.
McKenzie led the Waratahs to three Super 12/14 finals series in five years in charge and is a close friend of new QRU chairman Rod McCall, who delivered the news to Mooney on Friday morning.
McCall admitted he had already sounded out an interested McKenzie just days after his 1991 World Cup-winning Test team-mate had himself been sacked as coach of Paris glamour club Stade Francais.
The Melbourne-raised former Wallabies prop has been seen as a leading contender as coach, or even chief executive, for the proposed Victorian team in an expanded Super 15 in 2011.
"He has been lined up with all this talk of Melbourne but the only thing he said to me was 'Melbourne is a long way away' and of course he'd be interested," McCall said.
"Other people, and Ewen included, have mentioned that this is a great challenge and something they would look forward to."
The QRU have only once in its long history recruited an outsider to coach the Reds and that ended in disaster when Eddie Jones took them to the wooden spoon in 2007.
But McCall stressed maroon blood was not a pre-requisite, as they look for a "quality" coach whose reputation can help overturn their perennial problem of luring stars from interstate and overseas.
"I think we're about getting the best coach available, a high-profile person who can attract a couple of international players from other franchises," he said.
But McCall bluntly denied Connolly, who last coached the Wallabies at the 2007 World Cup, was a prime candidate.
"It's a long list and I don't know how close to the bottom he would be but he'd be pretty close to the bottom," he said of the former 12-year Reds mentor.
"I just think John hasn't coached for a while and there's quite a lot of blokes right in the middle of high-level professional coaching delivering good results and we need to be focussed on someone like that."
Connolly's long-time lieutenant Michael Foley, now forwards coach at NSW, who played a key role in Reds vice-captain Berrick Barnes' defection to the Waratahs, also looms as a potential successor to Mooney.
The QRU will aim to have a short-list in place in a fortnight with a view to appointing Mooney's successor well before players reassemble for preseason training in five weeks.
- AAP
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