Hull FC Shake-up: Tony Smith Departs, Grix and Cummins Take Interim Charge
In a surprising turn of events, Hull FC have parted ways with head coach Tony Smith, marking the first Super League managerial casualty of the season. With just seven games played, the club has entrusted Francis Cummins and Simon Grix to lead the team on an interim basis, effective immediately.
Smith’s departure comes on the heels of Hull FC’s sole victory this campaign, a win against the league’s bottom side, London Broncos. The club’s announcement was made public at 11:30 am this morning.
“Assistant coach Stanley Gene has also left his position alongside Smith.”
Simon Grix, a former Ireland international and Warrington Wolves player, now steps up to take interim charge. Grix, who joined Hull FC at the start of the 2024 season, has previous head coaching experience with Halifax Panthers, guiding them to a third-place Championship finish in 2021 and 2022, as well as an 1895 Cup triumph at Wembley in 2023.
Joining Grix in the interim role is Francis Cummins, another ex-Ireland player. Cummins has Super League coaching experience, having served as an assistant at Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Bulls, Widnes Vikings, and Wakefield Trinity. He was also the head coach at Bradford Bulls for two years.
With an away fixture against St Helens on the horizon, Grix and Cummins will aim to steady the ship and guide Hull FC through this transitional period, as the club searches for a permanent solution to lead them forward in the highly competitive Super League.
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