Good coaches who never played the game

[Leonormous Boozer]

Declan Kidney? Played for UCC and Dolphin who wouldn't be the best of clubs, never played for Munster.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

From his wiki.



From a Guardian interview.

From memory, this wasn't uncommon in Wigan - kids play both.

Fair play Rats, I'd forgotten about his schoolboy days. But I think that was about it in union.

Apparently his son is a scrum half in the Wasps academy. If he's inherited the genes he'll be one to watch.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Don't think he's still with Wasps.

 

[Rinkadink]

Alan Solomons?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Solomons

*edit*

That reminds me, did Gary Gold play? Might be another that fits.

 

[The Seeker]

In American football the best coaches in most cases were the one's who never played the game professionally, or weren't well known if they did. They were more students of the game. I haven't done the statistical research but that might apply to all sports around the World.

 

[TRF_heineken]

I don't think Stuart Lancaster ever played level 1 rugby. IIRC Wakefield peaked at level 2 and Leeds (or whichever of Headingly or Roundhay he played for before they merged) the same. He did play age group rugby for Scotland though (I'll rise above an obvious joke ).

The Question was for good coaches.

Heyneke Meyer only played rugby at university and became a coach while studying... and has been coaching ever since.