Legendary former Parramatta Eels coach Jack Gibson will be inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame later this month.
Gibson – dubbed the architect of Parramatta’s Premiership three-peat back in the 1980s – will be among the first two coaches to enter the Hall of Fame alongside current Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett.
Gibson won five premiership titles as a coach with Eastern Suburbs (1974-75) and Parramatta (1981-83). He won 245 of 394 games as first grade coach for a winning percentage of 62.2. He also coached NSW in 1989-90, claiming a series victory in 1990.
Gibson’s career at Premiership level spanned 20 years; he coached Eastern Suburbs (1967-68 and 1974-76), St George (1970-71), Newtown (1973), South Sydney (1978-79), Parramatta (1981-83) and Cronulla (1985-87).
“It is an historic moment for the game to recognise for the first time the extraordinary contribution of two legendary coaches, Jack Gibson and Wayne Bennett,” ARLC Chairman, Peter V’landys said.
“Wayne is the ultimate people manager. He has the rare ability to get the best of a player, no matter their background. Players who come from hard times or players who have everything, Wayne takes them to another level. He can make every player the most important in the team. He has a rare presence that gains the attention of all demographics.
“Jack was just the first super coach. He took calculated risks that always seemed to pay off. Jack was innovative and futuristic and was ahead of his time. His one-liners were legendary.”
The NRL also announced that legendary administrators Ken Arthurson and John Quayle would be inducted into the Hall of Fame as Contributors, alongside broadcast icons Frank Hyde and David Morrow.
“On behalf of the Australian Rugby League Commission and the Hall of Fame Committee, I congratulate all of the inductees and their families on this special honour,” V’landys said.
The formal inductions will be made in a special ceremony on Wednesday, August 21 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Nathan Taylor is Parra News' sports journalist. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked in western Sydney media for more than a decade.