Roosters reignite Taylor’s coaching passion

Wests Tigers are expected to announce Jason Taylor as their new head coach for the 2015 NRL season.
Former South Sydney coach Jason Taylor is said to be set to take over at Wests Tigers. Source: News Limited
JASON Taylor has revealed how the Roosters had restored his passion for coaching, which was yesterday parlayed into a second coming at NRL level with Wests Tigers.
After being sacked from the Rabbitohs amid controversial circumstances in 2009, Taylor was drained of confidence and desire, and questioned whether he wanted to be a head coach again.
But five seasons away from the spotlight at Bondi Junction — starting at Under 20s level — re-ignited Taylor’s flame to return to the top.
Stalled negotiations with Parramatta stopped him from doing so 12 months ago, but his comeback passage to Wests Tigers was much smoother.
Taylor discovered he’d beaten Anthony Griffin, Nathan Brown, Todd Payten and David Kidwell for the three-year contract on Monday — less than a week after he was interviewed.
“(Leaving Souths) definitely dented my confidence and also passion for coaching at it was a pretty slow process getting that going again,” Taylor said.
Jason Taylor spends some time honing Mitchell Pearce’s skills at the Sydney Roosters. Source: News Limited
“I went back and did a couple of years coaching Under 20s at the Roosters and found that really enjoyable. That was a good way of getting going again and the last couple of years working under Trent (Robinson), he’s played a big part in reviving my love of the game.”
Asked to reflect on his position this time last year, when the Eels opted to hire Brad Arthur at the eleventh hour, Taylor said: “It’s sort of a sliding doors moment. I couldn’t be more excited about where my career is at. And I really want to stress how impressive the Tigers board were. Regardless of what has gone before, they seem to have really come together as a club.”

Taylor’s secondary apprenticeship at the Roosters gave him an edge over the others, with the Tigers board impressed at how another of Robinson’s former assistants — Paul Green — has revolutionised the Cowboys.
After missing out at Parramatta, Taylor signed a two-yearextension to remain at Bondi, meaning Roosters officials had to give him their blessing to accept the Tigers job.
“The big disappointment out of this is moving on from the Roosters,” Taylor said.
“I would have loved to stay there but these opportunities don’t come along every day.
“Everyone there understands and there’s disappointment on both sides.
JasoN Tduring his coaching days at the Rabbitohs. Source: News Limited
I suppose that’s the one negative for the Roosters, that Trent does such a good job with his assistants and this could happen again.”
Taylor’s expertise in the halves - where he played more than 300 games - also worked in his favour.
Wests Tigers management want to give young playmakers Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses as much guidance as possible, and Taylor has worked closely as a halves mentor for James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce at the Roosters over the past two years.
“That was probably something else that gave me a bit of a head start,” Taylor said.
“I’ve had some success with young halves.
“(Brooks) has had a lot of pressure placed on him with comments from a lot of former great players. I don’t really want to add to that, but I am excited about working with him.”
The Tigers have also appointed Phil Moss from Penrith to run their football operations.
Taylor tasted early success as a head coach when he coached the Eels for the final 16 games of the 2006 season after Brian Smith quit.
Ten wins and six losses helped them snag eighth spot however, they were bundled out in the first week of the finals by the Melbourne Storm.
In 2007 Taylor took over at the Rabbitohs from Shaun McCrae and helped them to the finals for the first time since they were re-admitted to the competition in 2002. They didn’t last long and were thumped 30-6 by Manly, also in the first week.
The Rabbitohs finished out of the finals the next two seasons, finishing 14th in 2008 and 10th in 2009.
From his time at the Eels and Rabbitohs Taylor has a first grade coaching record of 41 victories, 47 losses and one draw for a win ratio of 46.1 per cent.
It’s the second year in a row the Roosters have lost one of their assistant coaches with Paul Green shifting to Townsville to take over the Cowboys following the Roosters’ 2013 premiership.
Originally published as Roosters reignite Taylor’s coaching passion
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