Wakefield name Brian Smith as their new head coach
Monday 1 June 2015 12:55, UK
Wakefield Wildcats have appointed Australian Brian Smith as their new head coach.
The ex-Paramatta, St George, and Newcastle coach has also spent time spent in England working at Hull FC and Bradford Bulls.
Interim Head coach Stuart Dickens will remain in charge of Trinity until June 8 when Smith will take over subject to getting a work visa.
Wakefield chairman Michael Carter told the club's website: "I would just like to thank all of those who applied for the job. There were some outstanding candidates.
"However, as soon as I talked to Brian, I felt that he was the man for the job. He was Coach of the Year in 2010 and has taken numerous teams to NRL Grand Finals.
"His pedigree is unquestioned and I look forward to him taking this club forward and turning our fortunes around."
Smith had a brief role of assistant to England coach Steve McNamara for the 2010 Four Nations Series in Australia and has also coached the United States.
McNamara is among a host of modern coaches who credit Smith with playing a major role in their development.
Smith will go up against his younger brother Tony when the Wildcats meet Warrington at Belle Vue on July 12.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carter said Smith had applied for the job and that he discovered the interest through previous coach James Webster.
"He sent a text message to me via our previous head coach, James Webster, who was kind enough to pass that on to me and formally apply," Carter said. "I had a couple of chats over the phone about what he wants to achieve. We had a really high calibre of candidate but having spoken to Brian, it became an easy decision to make.
"I think it's a real coup that we've attracted someone of his calibre."
Carter says the appointment is initially for this year but he expects Smith to stay on board whether or not the club manage to avoid relegation to the Championship.
