From his relationship with Zac Lomax, his long apprenticeships with supercoaches and his ability to inject youth into his roster, here are the reasons why Jason Ryles won the race to the Eels’ head coaching position.
Parramatta officials held a phone hookup with their senior players on Monday morning to inform them that Jason Ryles would be their head coach next season.
When the call went out to Mitchell Moses, it allowed them to kill two birds with one stone. Moses was in State of Origin camp with Blues teammate Zac Lomax, who is Parramatta-bound next season after agreeing a deal with the Eels.
If you listen to the rumour mill, Lomax is having second thoughts about his switch of clubs but there is a school of thought that Ryles will help strengthen his resolve to move clubs.
The pair know each other from Wollongong and the Dragons, and Ryles’ first order of business will be to resolve his future once and for all.
It is among a laundry list of items that Ryles will tackle while juggling his consultancy role in Melbourne. It won’t be as difficult as it would seem.
When Ryles returned to the Storm last season, having rejected the opportunity to become St George Illawarra coach to focus on taking over from Craig Bellamy in Melbourne, his family stayed in Wollongong.
Ryles has commuted between the two during his second stint at the Storm and as it stands, he will continue to do so for the remainder of this season.
Lomax aside, Ryles will need to quickly sort out a roster that needs an injection of youth and leg speed in the forward pack and convince boom back Blaize Talagi that his future lays at Parramatta.
They are among the early challenges facing a coach who Eels officials are confident can end the club’s renowned premiership drought, which stretches back nearly 40 years.
The Eels certainly took their time in finding Brad Arthur’s successor, attracting criticism from some quarters for how they handled the process after missing out on seven-time premiership winner Wayne Bennett.
The search was thrown open to all comers – former coach Brian Smith even got an interview – before the list was whittled down to Ryles, Sharks assistant Josh Hannay and Dragons assistant Dean Young.
Hannay’s involvement with the Queensland State of Origin side slowed things down but by Tuesday last week, the Eels board believed Ryles was the right man.
They delayed any final decision until after the Eels had played on Thursday night and talks with Ryles’ manager George Mimis began in earnest on Saturday as they closed in on their preferred candidate.
On Sunday, chair Sean McElduff and chief executive Jim Sarantinos were confident enough to drive to Wollongong to speak to interim coach Trent Barrett and inform him that they were going with his good friend and former teammate.
Sarantinos also delivered the news to Ryles before he, McElduff and head of football Mark O’Neill held a FaceTime call with their new coach later on Sunday.
By then, they had a reasonable understanding of each other – Ryles had spent five hours with Eels powerbrokers over his two interviews for the job. He fared well in the interviews but his resume spoke a thousand words.
Ryles could not have served a better apprenticeship – he has worked alongside Bellamy, Trent Robinson at the Sydney Roosters and Eddie Jones with the English rugby union team.
Some have suggested he hasn’t coached his own team but he has – he coached Wests Red Devils in the Illawarra competition.
McElduff and the Eels certainly saw and heard enough in their two interviews to believe he is the right man for their club.
“We need to set him up for success,” McElduff said.
“That’s what will be critical for us. So we’ll set it up for success and make sure he’s got experienced people around him and he’s happy about that.
“Five years at the Storm they made four grand finals and won two – the last one he was the senior assistant coach.
“He worked under Bellamy and Robbo – so he’s been in some pretty good systems. He did coach a team – Western Suburb Devils.
“At the end of the day, the Storm brought him back in 2024 as a hedge for Bellamy in case Bellamy didn’t extend. That’s a massive endorsement, right.
“He could have had the Dragons job if he wanted it. So, there’s a number of data points here that validate it.
“And he’s inquisitive, he’s a learner, he’s bright, he can communicate. And all his career, he’s been in winning environments both as a player and as a coach.”
Turning around Parramatta won’t be easy, The club finally got itself off the bottom of the ladder last week but they have a myriad of issues that have been exposed this season, leading to the sacking of Arthur.
In recent weeks there has been talk of dissension in the ranks and Ryles will need to unify a club that appears splintered from the outside.
He also needs to ensure Lomax is in the club’s ranks next season. The Dragons and NSW player has become arguably the game’s best winger this season.
He took a pay cut to join Parramatta and it could be taken as a positive sign that Lomax was among the senior leaders contacted by Eels powerbrokers on Monday morning.
“He is our player for 2025,” McElduff said.
“Him and Mitch are in Origin camp together. We got all the player leaders together and spoke to them as one.
“And Rylesy will reach out to him.”
Not a moment too soon.
“I am incredibly honoured to be appointed head coach of the Parramatta Eels,” Ryles said in a statement.
“This is a club with a rich history and a passionate fanbase. I look forward to coaching these young men.”
Replies
Don't love a lot of what Sean McElduff has said here, but, remaining positive, lets hope this part rings true.
“We need to set him up for success,” McElduff said.
I have to say NOS, McElfluff is not an impressive Chairman. He doesn't speak with authority and gives you the impression that he's unsure of himself. It's best he keeps quiet and let others speak.....but who LOL?!?!?
I hope by setting him up for sucess means getting rid of some of the dead wood in the playing roster and back office.
Axel, agree. Much prefer Jim S.
Sean said some concerning things here, but, benefit of the doubt, maybe he is just giving the media very little? Could understand that.
This line is particuarly concerning to me, though.
“He could have had the Dragons job if he wanted it. So, there’s a number of data points here that validate it."
If rejecting a HC role at the Dragons is a 'data point' for validation, im worried. It's more likely a data point validating the Eels are a more attractive prospect to Jason Ryles, and has no barring whatsoever on his coaching ability.
Anyway! We stay positive Axel, Jason Ryles has every chance to succeed at this club, if the club give Jason Ryles every chance to succeed.
There must be more to follow..... there must be....
I'm sure there's more to follow.
I know some people on here are suggesting that he's not that bright, but surely he's coming in with eyes wide open and he would know what changes are needed....and importantly, what assurances he's been given by the board.
Hey Nos, what do you think they are basing their quote."he has the ability to inject youth into his roster" as a reason to hire him.
I wonder what evidence they base this on, considering he hasnt been in charge of a roster previously.
Interesting choice of words and im curious. It sounds nice some shiny new young players to go with the shiny new coach.
I wonder if he is looking towards some young union recruits.
Bluey that line is interesting isn't it, has Ryles looked after development / pathways anywhere?
Hopefully you are spot on & Ryles has assured the club of a few names he could bring with him? Otherwise its a bit of a generic comment isn't in, because any coach candidate could claim that ability.
"Some have suggested he hasn’t coached his own team but he has – he coached Wests Red Devils in the Illawarra competition." Well, I'm sold, lol
That is the one thing I am concerned on, always have been with Ryles.
I read the article that NOS posted and was reasonably comfortable, but the article is very proactive and then defensive, especially when it was said "some say he has never coached his team before" and then defended with the "red devils" who I don't believe did anything special.....its a bit like BA talking about his convo' with Leeds Rhino's and saying how many premierships he won with Rhino's in Aussie.
The guy that wrote that is either a student or a Parramatta PR man.
Back to the "guy" I must admit one thing I do like is his Rugby Union experience, I think at the level he was dealing with i.e Eddie Jones and the like, it would give him a broader framework of experience outside of Rugby League, which I think is becoming a little bit too "inbred" for my liking, the same inbreeding you see on this site.
Well I am still hoping that MON is moved on, everyone knows I have been a supporter, but for all the reasons I have supported him, the buck stops with his involvement with our R&R and he has to go. Surely if Smith is interested that Head of Football spot should be his for the taking.
Wise, Frankie. I'm big fan of and respect the three of you gentlemen.
You, Pops & Wiz share some things in common: straight shooters, blunt at times, witty, intelligent, strong opinions, don't fear confrontation, can handle conflict and confrontation, strong characters who don't take a backward step. You all like to grow, evolve and success too.
Remember how many times we used to clash oveer issues? You never held a grudge. Same with Wiz and Pops.
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