Wests Tigers have named former Dragons interim coach Ryan Carr as Benji Marshall’s new defence coach, with Mick Crawley joining as Pathways Coaching Director for 2027.
The club confirmed both appointments on Monday afternoon, in a statement on the Wests Tigers website.
Carr previously led St George Illawarra as interim head coach before coaching Castleford in the English Super League this year. Crawley has worked alongside Wayne Bennett, Ricky Stuart and Michael Maguire, and has been an assistant coach at the North Queensland Cowboys, Newcastle Knights, Canberra Raiders and St George Illawarra.
Marshall will again be supported by assistant coaches Brett Hodgson and Chris Heighington.
Marshall on Carr
“Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge and was highly impressive throughout the interview process,” Marshall said.
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“What appealed to me was his ability to connect to players and the way he thinks about his footy. He will be our defence coach and I’m excited about what he will bring to the team.”
Crawley to link pathways and first grade
Crawley’s role will focus on connecting the club’s pathways system to the NRL program.
“His experience across the game in coaching at an elite level is second to none,” Marshall said. “Mick is a very good person with good values and has seen almost everything in footy, and I feel like Mick will be someone that everyone can lean on.”
“He has a very important role as Pathways Coaching Director in ensuring that our Pathways system aligns with first grade,” Marshall added. Fox Sports noted the Tigers have a huge junior base but have struggled to keep their best young talent in recent years, with James Tedesco, Mitchell Moses and Lachlan Galvin all going on to play for rivals.
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