swift4prez wrote: we need a coach who knows his stuff, had success and is not a rookie.
...
anyone but kidney.

I'm not in favour of Kidney, but he just ticked all the boxes that you want ticked.

If they are going global maybe Jim Williams? I always loved his attitude and would be the sort of character that could suit our set up. We need someone humble, who doesn't see themselves as bigger than the brand as Eric said yesterday. I'd rule EOS out on that basis alone.

McLaughlin is running Ulster's youth development programme and by all accounts he's loving it. Can't imagine he'd be too interested.

some good choices there with ruddock but id also stick in eddie and Brian McLaughlin???

eddie not everyones cup of tea but i believe the next job he gets, he'll give it everything as id say reality has hit him now as he has failed to find work. how bradley got the edinburgh job ahead of him is beyond me.

whats brian mclaughlin doing now? looked like he was left with little choice but to leave ulster.

other people like foley and jackman, 100% no, were trying to move forward so we need a coach who knows his stuff, had success and is not a rookie.

with mcfarland, a bit like other said in the other tread about eric, he was here for 23 years, dan would be here for many years too, and maybe a new outsider who doesnt have baggage with certain players would be better.

yesterday at the press conference alex said that they already had two people who had put there names forward??
that said, anyone but kidney.

My top 6

Kingston, Carolan, McFarland, Ruddock, Elwood (last minute change of heart Sir Alex-stylee) and possibly left field... Kevin Maggs.

I do like the Ruddock shout though. He isn't so full of himself that he'd consider us below him, after his Wales job he worked with underage teams, school teams and Worcester (which means he doesn't think the Amlin is below him either) so it's not all about the glamour.

Bigger names will be mentioned, but I would worry that they'd be here while looking elsewhere. I want a new coach who will come in with a plan and want to see it through. Foley will be mentioned and I would be totally against him for that reason, if he came his long term plan wouldn't be Connacht development, it would be the Munster job.

Actually good shout there Rossie, haven't even considered Mike Ruddock. A natural extension of his existing role one would think...

imo from an irfu perspective there are two automatic front runners. one has his feet already under their table and the other is trying hard to get back to the table but left a few enemies from his last visir to tjst table.
sullivan isnt popular with some of the irfu hierarchy and will have that obstacle to overcome if he is to be successful for this job.
mike ruddock on the other hand has a far better relationship wirh them and his cv is jusy as impressive. he gets my vote.

Nigel is pretty happy with what he's doing at the minute in the academy. I've no doubt down the line he'll be a great head coach with Connacht, but for the immediate future I think we need to focus on getting an experienced head to steer the ship to the next level

menacethedenis wrote: Yes he was offered a player/coaching contract but it was during the time we could only offer 1 year deals so he turned it down. He probably wouldn't have taken it anyway, the 1 year offer gave him a polite excuse to turn it down. I'd be astonished if he was in consideration for the head coach role here, I don't think he's coaching at all since he retired, just doing punditry and an Irish Times column but I could be wrong.

O'Shea is way out of our league, he'll be in line for the Ireland job next April unless Deccie can produce a miracle in the 6 nations.

Personally I would be happy if Eddie O'Sullivan was in the running. 3 Triple Crowns and a six nations lost on points difference, USA looked alright considering their obvious limitations at the last world cup, assistant coach on a Lions tour, that's some pedigree even taking into account the disastrous 2007 world cup and 2008 six nations campaigns.

I would also think McFarland is in with a good shout, with possibly Nigel Carolan taking on more responsibility alongside the current coaches.

Good point regarding Nigel Carolan, not knowing the in's and out's of all the coaching duties, I would like to think that he would be in contention at least.

sea_point wrote: Sorry today is depressing enough, but have you just mentioned Eddie O'Sullivan, George Hook and Alan Quinlan in connection with the Connacht job??

Any of those three get anywhere near our squad I'm out, plain and simple. We might as well call in the IRFU and hand the keys back...

O'Shea is out of our league, and I know his head coach John Kingston knows Galway well from his time at Wegians but I'm not convinced he is interested in a DOR job he's more a hands on type.

To me Eric's assistant Dan McFarland should be favourite, if he want's the job. As a former Connacht player, he's been forwards coach under Bradley and second in command under Eric. He knows the players, clubs and people in Connacht Rugby.

A support team of Millard, Parks and possibly Michael Swift or Johnny O'Connor as player/forwards coach (although I think JO'C is more inclined to fitness/conditioning though.) would be successful. The quality of our squad is improving and with that our competitiveness so personally I would opt for continuity on the coaching side rather than upheaval of an outsider coming in and upsetting the improving structures we are seeing...

Indeed I did, although there were 2 jokers in that pack (although I am nearly sure that Quinlan was offered a similar position), don't think that we can rule out the possibility of O'Sullivan at all though.

I might as well throw in another name (who I would like to see) with Brian Ashton, but at 66 he will never be considered, he seems happy out with his life on the English NW coast and still manages to take the odd Fylde training session.

Being completely honest, I don't have a clue who we can bring in to replace Eric, he is leaving big boots to be filled with the admiration from supporters and respect from the players.

Lots of times when a players leaves you hear what a great servant they were to the club, well never did the words ring more true than in connection with Eric and his service to Connacht rugby. I got the sense early on in his tenure as head man that, unlike his predecessor, he wasn't going to take the treatment Connacht was receiving from Dublin lying down nor was he going to use it as an excuse for not operating like a professional organisation that strove for better performances. His passion for Connacht rugby will be missed and I wish him well in his future endeavours whether they be in rugby or outside of it.

Funk It wrote: Wasn't Alan Quinlan rumoured to have nearly signed for Connacht a few seasons ago to be a player with coaching responsibilities? Not thinking that he will be offered it outright though.

Yes he was offered a player/coaching contract but it was during the time we could only offer 1 year deals so he turned it down. He probably wouldn't have taken it anyway, the 1 year offer gave him a polite excuse to turn it down. I'd be astonished if he was in consideration for the head coach role here, I don't think he's coaching at all since he retired, just doing punditry and an Irish Times column but I could be wrong.

O'Shea is way out of our league, he'll be in line for the Ireland job next April unless Deccie can produce a miracle in the 6 nations.

Personally I would be happy if Eddie O'Sullivan was in the running. 3 Triple Crowns and a six nations lost on points difference, USA looked alright considering their obvious limitations at the last world cup, assistant coach on a Lions tour, that's some pedigree even taking into account the disastrous 2007 world cup and 2008 six nations campaigns.

I would also think McFarland is in with a good shout, with possibly Nigel Carolan taking on more responsibility alongside the current coaches.

pcoyle wrote: Here is the press conference audio..

www.mixcloud.com/CountFurlo/eric-elwood-steps-down/

Thanks Philip, beat me to it...

Funk It wrote: I remember when I first saw the other Eric Elwood themed thread I was just hoping that we would never axe one of the greatest legends the club has ever seen. I have never known Connacht without Eric, and he will be a big loss no doubt. We all owe Eric a lot of thanks, that's for sure.

Obvious choice would be O'Shea, but to be honest I think that he would turn the Irish job down at the moment if offered. If O'Sullivan is to come back, I'm just not sure if I would want him bringing George Hook back into the Connacht setup with him again.

Wasn't Alan Quinlan rumoured to have nearly signed for Connacht a few seasons ago to be a player with coaching responsibilities? Not thinking that he will be offered it outright though.

Sorry today is depressing enough, but have you just mentioned Eddie O'Sullivan, George Hook and Alan Quinlan in connection with the Connacht job??

Any of those three get anywhere near our squad I'm out, plain and simple. We might as well call in the IRFU and hand the keys back...

O'Shea is out of our league, and I know his head coach John Kingston knows Galway well from his time at Wegians but I'm not convinced he is interested in a DOR job he's more a hands on type.

To me Eric's assistant Dan McFarland should be favourite, if he want's the job. As a former Connacht player, he's been forwards coach under Bradley and second in command under Eric. He knows the players, clubs and people in Connacht Rugby.

A support team of Millard, Parks and possibly Michael Swift or Johnny O'Connor as player/forwards coach (although I think JO'C is more inclined to fitness/conditioning though.) would be successful. The quality of our squad is improving and with that our competitiveness so personally I would opt for continuity on the coaching side rather than upheaval of an outsider coming in and upsetting the improving structures we are seeing...

God forbid we try for the likes of eddie o sullivan or kidney they are conservative narrow minded dinosaurs who wouldnt last a second in a major rugby country. we need a guy who is the complete package who can spot and nurture upcoming talent and who has the knowledge to imbue a high skill set throughout the team. If we can get a decent upcoming coach from new zealand like the other provinces we should. If not maybe the likes of mclaughlin or mike rudduck could fill the gap until our coffers can someday match

Best of Luck Eric

When I read the other thread I was about to post a reply in his defence as I didn't like the negative comments but decided not to as I didnt want to get involved in such a negative debate,

Glad it was locked,

Best of luck Eric