16 Facts About Michael Hagan

Michael Hagan was born on 12 August 1964 and is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player.

Michael Hagan went on to have a successful coaching career with Newcastle and Parramatta, and was selected to coach the Queensland Maroons for two State of Origin series before becoming Meninga's assistant coach.

The younger brother of former Test centre Bob Michael Hagan, Michael Hagan was graded with Canterbury in 1983.

Michael Hagan played a role filling in for Lamb in Canterbury's upset win in the 1985 grand final.

In 1988 Michael Hagan was injured in a car crash but recovered to play in Canterbury's three finals, scoring a try in the grand final.

Michael Hagan was the media manager for the Hunter Mariners during the Super League war in Australia, and subsequently joined the coaching staff with Mal Meninga at the Canberra Raiders, coaching the President's Cup team in 1998 and First Division in 1999.

In 2000 Michael Hagan became the first division coach at the Newcastle Knights, and succeeded Warren Ryan as coach in 2001.

Michael Hagan became the first former Knights player to coach the club, and later that season led them to victory in the 2001 NRL grand final, becoming the first coach since Phil Gould to win the premiership in his first season.

Michael Hagan coached the Queensland State of Origin team in 2004 and 2005.

Michael Hagan resigned as Queensland coach in 2005 to concentrate on coaching the Knights given their poor season in which they finished at the foot of the ladder for the first time in the club's history.

In 2010 Michael Hagan returned to the Queensland side as an assistant coach.

In early 2006, Michael Hagan signed a contract to coach the Parramatta Eels from 2007 to 2009, finishing his tenure at Newcastle at the end of the 2006 season.

Michael Hagan left the Knights as the longest serving coach in club history, and guided them to finals appearances in four of his six seasons, more than any other coach in the team's history.

In 2007 the Eels showed much improvement under Michael Hagan, spending much of the season at 3rd position on the ladder before a surprise defeat against his old club the Newcastle Knights triggered a late-season form slump.

Michael Hagan has made journalistic contributions to 'League Central' section of The Daily Telegraph.

Michael Hagan provides his opinions on current League issues as well as evaluating team form and performances.