Sport

Salford RLFC finally confirm new head and assistant coaches

'Experience. Energy. Belief.'

Danny Jones - 5th January 2026

Salford RLFC have finally announced their new head and assistant coach picks as the new rugby league season fast approaches.

The Salfordian phoenix club had already confirmed they’d reached provisional pre-contract agreements with a new boss and several players following the news of the consortium bid that kept the sporting institution alive, but now they officially have a new leadership team to get behind.

Following Salford Red Devils’ resurrection by the aforementioned investment group – though it still remains unclear whether this will eventually include a full rebranding – familiar face Mike Grady and his assistant Dave Hewitt are now in place.

They replace ex-boss Paul Rowley, now at St Helens, and his assistant, Kurt Haggerty, who both left in October and September of last year, respectively.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Salford RLFC (@rlfcsalford)

Sharing the news in an official statement on their new Instagram account amid a major overhaul of their online presence, the local side wrote: “We are proud to announce Mike as the new Head Coach of Salford RLFC, joined by Dave Hewitt as Assistant Coach.

“Mike brings over 12 years of coaching experience across club and international rugby, most recently leading the Salford Women’s team and previously coaching at Widnes.

“His appointment marks another big step forward in our rebuild, combining experience, passion and a deep understanding of what Salford rugby league stands for: hard work, resilience and exciting rugby.

“Joining him, Dave Hewitt, former St Helens and England Academy player, will focus on developing our attacking play and nurturing new talent.”

Hewitt also played for Oldham RLFC across three spells, as well as Rochdale Hornets.

The duo’s arrival comes after former Red Devil Ryan Brierley was also named as the new CEO of the fresh organisation, headed up by fellow ex-player, Mason Caton-Brown.

Grady himself has already taken to social media to express his excitement over the project.

Good luck with it, I'm sure I speak on behalf of everyone, were all behind you 🫡🫡
— Ishaq Ali (@IshaqAli156) January 5, 2026

As for the board, they sign off by adding: “Together, Mike and Dave represent the energy and belief driving this new era for Salford RLFC.”

With several ‘key announcements’ soon to be made, we can expect a better idea of what the new and hopefully improved Salford will look like in time for their opener against the Roughyeds in the Championship on Friday, 16 January.

It is worth noting that the club have yet to reveal any actual squad signings.

As for co-owner Caton-Brown, who knows all about the club and the community from his several years playing in the area, we have the pleasure of chatting with him first-hand about the vision for their future.