Dean Young has been appointed permanent head coach of the St George Illawarra Dragons, seeing off former teammate Ben Hornby for the role. Young, who served as interim boss for the past three months, has signed a two-year deal that runs until the end of the 2028 season.
Young took over after the Dragons sacked Shane Flanagan in April following a winless start to 2026. While the team has won only two games under his leadership, the club noted a clear improvement in performance, leading to his appointment over Hornby.
Young's statement on appointment
"Leading this great club is a privilege, but I understand that it also comes with responsibility and pressure," Young said in a statement on Monday. "I have experienced success and failure in this game, as both a player and a coach. Those experiences have given me the confidence to lead this club back to where it belongs."
Young added: "I want our fans to be proud of our football team. Proud of how hard we compete and how consistent we are. It's my job to create an environment that delivers these values. We have only just started to see the potential of this team. There's a lot more work to be done."
Young's background and future plans
Young played over 200 games for the Dragons and won the 2010 premiership at the club. His father, Craig Young, played for and coached St George before their merger with Illawarra. Young will have a promising young forward pack to work with in 2027, including Hamish Stewart, the Couchman twins, and Loko Pasifiki Tonga, complemented by the arrival of South Sydney prop Keaon Koloamatangi.
The Dragons have been active in the player market, with Scott Drinkwater, Luke Metcalf, Phillip Sami, and Connor Watson agreeing to terms for next year. Young's relationships from his time at North Queensland, the Tongan Test side, and the NSW State of Origin team could help attract talent to the club.
CEO Tim Watsford on the decision
"Dean's history with the Dragons is well known and respected, but that is not why he has been appointed," said Dragons chief executive Tim Watsford. "This decision is based on the strength of his football plan, his connection with players, his leadership of staff, his alignment with our pathways and recruitment strategy, and his understanding of what this club needs to become."
