The Dragons are pleased to announce the appointment of Shane Flanagan as the club’s head coach on a three-year deal starting from 2024.
The board unanimously agreed Flanagan’s credentials as an experienced, premiership-winning coach made him the right choice for the role.
“We have full faith in Shane’s abilities as a coach and are looking forward to welcoming him back to the club,” said Dragons Chairman Andrew Lancaster.
“Shane will add value in the role of head coach given the club’s deep, talented and emerging playing roster.
“Shane is well-regarded within the club from his recent roles here, first as an assistant coach then as list management consultant. The time he previously spent with the club also gives him a high level of familiarity with our players, systems and pathways.”
Flanagan said he was excited to return to the Dragons as head coach.
“There is a fantastic opportunity at the Dragons to build something really special over the next few years,” Flanagan said.
“While the Sea Eagles will continue to have my full focus for the rest of this season, I also can’t wait to get started back at the Dragons at the end of this season and work on returning the club to the finals where it belongs.”
Flanagan’s eight season at Cronulla included leading the club to its drought-breaking 2016 premiership, with a win rate over 55% across his 185 games.
He will see out the 2023 season in his current role at the Sea Eagles before joining the Dragons at the end of this season.
Current interim coach Ryan Carr will remain in his role for the rest of this year.
