Michael Ennis has a unique perspective when it comes to the Newcastle Knights. Not only did he grow up in the Hunter region, he also made his NRL debut in a Knights jersey back in 2003. Now, with Adam O’Brien and the club officially parting ways at season’s end, Ennis believes Newcastle faces one of the biggest coaching appointments in recent memory.
The former representative hooker says the role extends far beyond simply preparing 17 players each week. Whoever takes over must understand the heartbeat of the region, the community pathways that feed the Knights system, and the cultural expectation of success in a town where rugby league is a way of life.
“It’s a huge job,” Ennis told Fox Sports. “I was lucky enough to grow up in Newcastle and every blade of grass on a Saturday was filled with kids playing rugby league. If you didn’t play, people looked at you differently. It’s not just a sport here, it’s the community.”
With that in mind, Ennis has weighed into the conversation about who should succeed O’Brien. The Knights will begin their formal search immediately, and while assistant Blake Green remains a leading candidate due to his long involvement with the current program, Ennis has suggested three other names that would suit Newcastle perfectly: Justin Holbrook, Matt King, and Dean Young.
Holbrook is already well known in rugby league circles. He spent three and a half years as head coach of the Gold Coast Titans and achieved great success in the Super League, winning a premiership with St Helens. Importantly, Holbrook has ties to Newcastle, having begun his NRL playing career at the club in 1999. That connection, Ennis believes, would help him adapt quickly to the demands of the Hunter region.
“Justin’s had great experience both here and in the Super League,” Ennis said. “And he’s spent time in Newcastle, so he knows the area and what it means to people.”
But while Holbrook is an established figure, Ennis has also thrown two fresh names into the mix: Matt King and Dean Young, both of whom have long been touted as head coaches in waiting.
King’s resume speaks for itself. He played over 100 NRL games for the Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs before enjoying another 100-plus appearances in the English Super League with Warrington, where he became a fan favourite. He represented New South Wales in Origin and also wore the green and gold for Australia. Since retirement, King has served apprenticeships at South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters, while also being involved in the NSW Origin coaching set-up.
“Matt’s obviously had great experience at both Souths and the Roosters,” Ennis explained. “But he also grew up on the Central Coast, just a stone’s throw from Newcastle. It’s a similar region — coastal NSW, passionate about rugby league, and it constantly produces NRL-calibre players.”
Indeed, Ennis pointed to current rising star Ethan Strange as one of the latest examples of the Central Coast’s conveyor belt of talent feeding into the league. He believes King’s understanding of that culture, combined with his playing and coaching pedigree, makes him a logical fit for the Knights.
Dean Young is another candidate Ennis is backing strongly. A one-club player for the Dragons, Young racked up more than 200 first-grade games and tasted premiership glory in 2010. Since retirement, he has spent a decade building his coaching credentials. Two stints as an assistant at the Dragons were split by a spell with the Cowboys, where he worked under some of the game’s best minds. This year he also joined the New South Wales State of Origin coaching staff.
“Dean comes highly regarded,” Ennis said. “He’s from Illawarra, and to me that’s almost a mirror of Newcastle. Both are steel cities, working-class, tough, but they absolutely love their rugby league. It’s the same kind of community.”
Young briefly served as Dragons interim head coach in 2020 and is widely viewed as ready for the step up to a permanent role. Though he remains contracted to St George Illawarra until 2027, a clause allows him to pursue a head coaching job elsewhere should one arise.
Beyond naming his three contenders, Ennis reflected on the timing of Newcastle’s decision. Unlike some mid-season coaching splits, O’Brien’s exit has been handled amicably, giving the Knights an opportunity to reset without turmoil.
“To bring in a new coach and staff, it can really freshen things up,” Ennis said. “The club’s heading to Las Vegas to start next season, Dylan Brown’s arriving, Kalyn Ponga will be back from injury — there’s a chance to restart without speculation hanging over them.”
Ennis stressed, however, that while the role is enticing, it is also daunting. The Hunter region lives and breathes rugby league, and with that comes unrelenting scrutiny. For Newcastle, a winning side not only lifts the town but also strengthens the entire NRL competition.
“You’ve only got to look at when the Knights are going well,” Ennis added. “Seeing a packed stadium in Newcastle, hearing that atmosphere, knowing they’re going toe-to-toe with the Storm or the Broncos — it makes the whole competition healthier.”
The search for O’Brien’s replacement is officially underway, with the Knights’ powerbrokers set to weigh up experience against potential. Green, Holbrook, King, and Young are all in the conversation, but whoever gets the nod must not only deliver results on the field but also embrace the responsibility of guiding one of rugby league’s most passionate heartlands.
For Ennis, the challenge is enormous but the reward is greater. A successful Knights team resonates far beyond the Hunter, and their next coach will have the chance to leave a lasting mark on one of the game’s proudest clubs.
