From top hopes to wild bolters: Who is NSW’s next coach?

Michael Maguire’s tenure as NSW Blues coach looks set to end after just one series, giving him a perfect record in the State of Origin arena.
The premiership winner took over the job from Brad Fittler and steered the Blues to a 2-1 victory over the interstate rivals, coming from a game down to clinch the shield.
But in a shock twist, Maguire is now expected to take over the top job at the Broncos in the wake of Kevin Walters being axed by the club.
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It leaves NSW in a bit of a hole heading into the 2025 series, with no clear standout to replace Maguire, especially given he had another year to run on his contract.
Michael Maguire during the 2024 series.  Getty
While there might not be an obvious choice right now, there are certainly some experienced heads or coaching prodigies around the game who could slot into the role, whether it be short-term or long-term.
Wide World of Sports takes a look at some potential coaching options below:
NOTE: Current NRL head coaches were left out, while John Cartwright has not been considered after signing with Hull FC for the 2025 Super League season.
Former Dragons coach Paul McGregor. Getty
While his tenure at the Dragons ended in messy fashion, McGregor showed plenty of promise in his early years at the club and has expressed a desire to continue coaching.
Most recently, McGregor spent time on the Blues coaching staff for the 2022 and 2023 series, while also working with the Parramatta Eels as a consultant in the same year the club made a grand final appearance against Penrith.
The 56-year-old was in talks with the Cowboys to join the club as an assistant coach this year, but ultimately decided against the move due to family reasons.
McGregor finished his NRL coaching career with 151 games and a 46 per cent win rate.
He also played 14 games for NSW during his career as one of the game’s elite centres.
Michael Ennis during Cronulla’s 2016 grand final win. Getty
A former Blues player, Ennis has been sniffing around the coaching landscape for the past few years, all while juggling his media commitments with Fox Sports.
Since hanging up the boots at the end of 2016 as a premiership winner, Ennis has spent time with the Raiders, Sharks, Eels and Sea Eagles in a variety of positions.
Ennis is an astute rugby league mind and would have plenty of respect from the current crop of players, while also not bringing any baggage from past head coaching roles.
The hooker played eight games for the Blues and featured in their 2014 series win.
Dean Young has done a lengthy apprenticeship in the NRL.  Getty
A coach on the rise, Young has enjoyed a lengthy apprenticeship during stints with both the Dragons and Cowboys, including a brief stint as interim coach in 2020.
The former NSW lock-forward has received glowing endorsements from a host of players at both clubs, but his biggest admirer is the great Wayne Bennett.
The pair forged a tight bond during their days at St George Illawarra and when Young’s name was raised as a potential replacement for Brad Arthur at the Eels earlier this year, Bennett gave his star pupil some glowing praise.
“He is one of the most outstanding players I’ve ever coached, someone I regard as a very close friend,” Bennett told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“You can’t coach if you can’t lead. He ticks that box. He’s an outstanding person.
“No one has more qualifications than Dean.”
Trent Barrett has plenty of experience.  Getty
While his head coaching career hasn’t produced top results, there’s no doubting Barrett has a great mind for the game and his attacking nous is up there with the game’s best
The 46-year-old has spent time in charge of the Sea Eagles and Bulldogs, while also working as the interim coach at Parramatta for the back-half of this season.
Barrett recently signed with the Broncos for the 2025 campaign, but that came prior to the club’s decision to part ways with Walters.
Should the incoming coach in Maguire want to build his own new-look staff at Red Hill, the former Blues playmaker could be an experienced option to take over.
Barrett could also benefit from the Origin arena as opposed to the week-to-week grind of club land, where he has clearly struggled over the years.
One man who is building quite the coaching resume is the former afro-haired winger.
King has worked as an assistant with the Rabbitohs and Roosters since retiring, garnering plenty of respect and admiration from his peers and current players.
The 44-year-old was part of Maguire’s staff for this year’s Origin series and featured on nine occasions for the Blues during his playing career, scoring six tries.
Former Warriors head coach Nathan Brown. Scott Davis/NRL Imagery
One of the most experienced coaches on this list, Brown has been in charge of multiple NRL clubs over the years and has also spent time working with the Blues.
The 51-year-old has a mixed record in club land, with his most successful tenure coming early in his coaching career, taking the Dragons to a handful of finals appearances.
More recently, Brown has worked with the Knights and Warriors but on both occasions, took over the organisation in the midst of a rebuild, while also spending time at the Eels as the club’s elite pathways director.
Brown has expressed his desire to remain in coaching and would bring close to 500 games worth of experience to the Blues should he be appointed.
Billy Slater and Brad Fittler come together at the end of the 2023 Origin series. Getty
What’s old could soon be new again.
Despite parting ways with the Blues after two-straight series losses, Fittler still has the itch to coach at a high level and has recently taken over the Prime Minister’s XIII.
In six years in the Origin coaching arena, Fittler won three series – the best record of any Blues mentor in the past two decades – before bowing out at the end of 2023.
Andrew Johns recently floated Fittler as a candidate to take over from Mal Meninga as Kangaroos coach in the future, but that was before the Blues job was vacant.
Sometimes, it’s better the devil you know and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Blues go with the safe option and reach out to Fittler regarding a return to the job.
Former Blues coach Laurie Daley alongside Robbie Farah and Ryan Hoffman. Getty
Another former NSW coach who found success with the side is Daley.
Since being ousted from the job at the end of 2017, the legendary five-eighth has worked with the Indigenous All Stars and works in the media.
Daley is an outside chance given his lack of recent coaching exposure, but he would be another safe option for the Blues given his history with the team.
Another ex-Blues player and successful coach, Toovey has been out of the game for more than half a decade since his brief stint in charge of the Bradford Bulls.
However, during a four-year stint at his beloved Sea Eagles, the 55-year-old took the side to a grand final appearance and almost toppled a star-studded Roosters side.
Toovey finished with a 58 per cent win record at Manly before being dumped in favour of Trent Barrett, who also failed to lift the club to premiership glory.
In recent years, Toovey has worked with the Samoan national team as an assistant, helping them to a shock Rugby League World Cup final appearance in 2022.
Retired forward Josh Jackson. Getty
A former Blues forward who was as tough as nails on the field, Jackson has emerged as a future NRL coach since retiring due to injury.
The 33-year-old has received high praise from Phil Gould for his work at the Bulldogs and just recently won the Jersey Flegg premiership with the club.
Jackson would certainly be a left-field option, but very few embody the spirit of Origin football like the retired back-rower.
Speaking of the great man, Gould is regarded as NSW’s greatest-ever coach and knows exactly what it takes to coach at this level.
While it’s highly unlikely he would be able to juggle the role long-term, especially given his role at Canterbury, it wouldn’t be a total shock if the Blues threw a Hail Mary to try and lure the legendary figure out of the wilderness.
Matthew Johns and Andrew Johns catch up in NSW camp in 2018. Getty
They’ve recently patched things up after barely being on speaking terms for about 12 months, but the Johns brothers remain two of the smartest minds in rugby league.
In the past, the pair have expressed an interest in coaching Samoa, but given both men have extensive media commitments, it could be tough to juggle.
One thing is for sure though – Joey and Matty as Blues co-coaches would be wildly entertaining and they’d have the full respect of any player who earns selection.