The Sharks have just announced the resignation of assistant coach Brad Macleod-Henderson.
Their statement reads as follows:
“Brad has been involved with us since 2012 initially with the U21’s before joining the senior side in July 2013. He was assistant coach in our last two Super Rugby campaigns looking after the forwards and breakdown and headed-up the Currie Cup campaigns.
We had offered Brad a role within our new structures but he felt that it was time to move on. After playing for The Sharks in the late 1990 and early 2000, he joined us on the back of a 6 year investment banking career and with a Honours in Economics and his MBA nearly completed.
We take this opportunity to wish him and his family the very best moving forward. “

Sad for him, but good for the Sharks. I’m sorry but he just is not at the level a team like the Sharks need.
Good luck Brad, sorry it didnt work out
a bottle of Johnnie Red for the guy who correctly guesses the name of the new coach!
All the best, Brad…
Interesting times…
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 3) : Deans?
Victor Matfield…
@pastorshark (Comment 7) : I only say that because then I’ll be the only one to win the bottle if he’s appointed…surely no one else is going to guess that!!
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 3) : How many guesses do we get?
@pastorshark (Comment 8) : I was about to say Ludeke, then snorted coffee all over my keyboard just thinking about it. 😆
Rudolph Strauelli
@The hound (Comment 11) : 😈 😈 well, he took us to the final in the space of a year didnt he?
@pastorshark (Comment 9) : lets say 3 😛
I just love the marketing spin…BMH resigns after turning down role offered. What they actually mean is they said u can only stay if you coach the Women’s B Side…he said no thanks and left. Was tough for him during this stint as he always had someone looking over his shoulder etc
My guess is actually Stonehouse
@Another Nick (Comment 10) : Kakaka!! 😆
Jacques Botes
Cheers Brad, may your future ventures bring you much satisfation. And you can bank a 5 try to nil drubbing of the Stormers as something to savour.
@SheldonK (Comment 14) : Press releases must only contain facts and I’m sure everything in this release is completely factual.
Of course, there is always spin – that’s a question of which facts you choose to reveal and which you choose not to. I think it goes without saying that the role Brad was offered was not “Head Coach” or even “Assistant Coach for the Senior Team”. There must surely have been a demotion – perhaps back to age group ranks – that he didn’t feel he was able to accept.
@SheldonK (Comment 14) : Oh the games we play…but that is the way this game is played. I wish him all the best, but think this is the way to go…
Stonehouse would be awesome.
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 15) : I was about to say that…
@YamYam (Comment 17) : Botes already has a role at the union. And please, we all love to slate Brad and call him a “schoolboy coach” but at least he has actually coached at schoolboy (and club) level.
Does Botes even have a level 1 coaching certificate?
Yea I’d love to know what the role was which he was offered.
Alan Solomons
P Divvie
@Seth101 (Comment 24) : I doubt we’ll find out.
@Seth101 (Comment 24) : @robdylan (Comment 27) : Investment consultant to John Smit…?
@JarsonX (Comment 25) : didnt even think of that option…
@Culling Song (Comment 28) : 😀 😀 😀 😈 😈
@The hound (Comment 11) : Yes please, keep him in the spot for a week and then move him upstairs into the office that should be his already. 😈
@YamYam (Comment 17) :
Please no! He’s surely had no experience in coaching and I’d hate to spoil the image that I have of him. He was such a great player for the Sharks.
@JarsonX (Comment 25) : Noooooooooooo!!!
@The hound (Comment 11) : after the send of you gave Strauls i would say this ain’t gonna happen .
Unless you use letgo Logic and says Strauli is only staying with the Lions because the Sharks has not made him a offer
My Prediction is BMH goes to the Kings , Makes a new for himself . In a year or 2 you sharkies cry about letting him go .
@robdylan (Comment 27) : Yup…in all likelihood we’ll never know!
@JarsonX (Comment 25) : This one makes sense. Im not a fan though.
@Zibbie (Comment 34) :
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 36) : Definitely not a fan…
@Zibbie (Comment 34) : The Hound is not being serious, he thinks Strools was a crap coach….Kamp Staaldraad and all that, you know.
@robdylan (Comment 23) : I totally agree but it would not surprise me. I personally hope it’s not.
Start of a new 4-year cycle, young group of players with a splatter of the old guard left.
Get a new generation coach to instil a new culture amongst the player base, and allow him 3 years to do this.
Get Robert du Preez on the line and see what his plans are.
@robdylan (Comment 19) : No look i fully understand…i just find it amusing. Still think that yes BMH had his limitation s but he was also never really entrusted to coach his way and run things as he saw fit. So is it fully fair to judge him on that. Just off topic…there are some interesting coaches out of contract at the moment…BMH, Drostky,Ludeke, John Kirwin etc.
@Morné (Comment 41) : Agree…both him and James Smal
@FireTheLooser (Comment 43) : I wouldn’t be totally against that…though I’d also be interested to see other big names we could pull…
All the best Brad. Thanks for your efforts.
Think this is best for all involved.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 43) : Why don’t you go for James Dalton as well.
Unfortunately I think it’s going to be Alan Solomons he and Gold are tight.
@The hound (Comment 46) : do you rate Solomons?
@The hound (Comment 46) : Nooooooo!! I wouldn’t be happy with that… 🙁
@pastorshark (Comment 7) : Haha…Nick Mullet…will disagree with you. Or maybe agree since he seems to have a slight dislike of the sharks (just my observation)
@coolfusion (Comment 49) :
Brendan. He is in the system already, what are his current commitments? Pieter Rossouw also currently unemployed. Nick Mallet – we know the answer to that one. Heineke Meyer not yet renewed by boks (wouldn’t want him either). Hate to say it but Mr personality John Mitchel may be best pick unless some buddy gets pulled in by the old boys club. What is HR Edwards doing these days?
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 47) : About as much as I rate Gold.
@The hound (Comment 52) : 😕
@The hound (Comment 52) : me neither…
@coolfusion (Comment 51) : Brendan is already giving as much time to the Sharks as he’s prepared to give.
Trust me, if Smit had been able to convince him to commit to a full-time gig at the Sharks, he would have done so ages ago and we wouldn’t have needed Gold
Solomons is well entrenched in Edinburgh.
Heard John and Chester Williams chatting around kings park. He in the running? Backline or head?
@Zibbie (Comment 34) :
You read way to much into that one comment of mine.
If there is a bigger, better offer on the table, for player or coach from any other team (not specifically Sharks), then surely if their current union (not necessarily Lions) can’t make a decent counter offer, then leaving that union becomes more and more likely, even a given.
I believe if Straeuli was offered double his salary and the opportunity to be head coach again (which I don’t see the Sharks doing), he probably would go back to the Sharks (if he even still wants to coach).
@coolfusion (Comment 57) : I would farking die
@Letgo (Comment 58) : I think Straeuli would like to stay as far away from Durban as possible.
@robdylan (Comment 23) : I have a level 1 coaching certificate!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately that’s were it stopped as work does not allow the time needed to coach.
This is the right move. I think BMH could have been valuable for the Sharks if we did not shove him into the responsibility of head coach that early. He’s credentials never fit the bill.
So it seems Sean will then stay as backline coach and the new forwards coach may also be the head coach, much more like the structure we’re used to seeing with the Sharks. Only difference is the new DOR role which we never had. I’m not against the DOR role, it just needs to be clearly defined within the union, so that everyone knows their place. We need serious attention given to certain structures within the union and Gary seems to be the right guy for this role…. really hoping so.
Cheers Brad. Thanks for your service.
Horak is staying? 🙁
@The hound (Comment 60) :
Yeah, and he’s been pretty good for the Lions, so I don’t think they would easily let him go.
Plus, I don’t think JS is going to go back and contract anyone that he has let go over the past 2 years. I’m just saying anyone who is offered a good enough deal will leave any union for another.
@SheldonK (Comment 42) : 100% correct on BMH never got a chance to do his own thing was apparently appointed as Head Coach but never given a chance to act and be Head coach!!!!!!
Good luck BMH and hope you do well in future!!!!!!
@JD (Comment 61) :
Yeah, I have level 2. There’s nothing to it really. I think Botes is way beyond 2 is by playing for all those years, but still, I would expect us not to make the same (or even worse mistake) as we did with BMH. We need someone with coaching experience at this level. Botes has never even coached a schoolboy team, not to my knowledge anyway.
@Ben (Comment 64) :
Maybe they offered him another position and he took it … fingers crossed!
If bmt is resigning and they can say cheers to Horak and cut Brendan loose at the same time 1 very good coach can step in plus a forwards coach and it would be a trade off? Everett can stay on.
Once again sharks are at the top of the media interest log. Isn’t it funny how we will always be the most watched side even when we are doing poorly? People either love or fear the sharks time to take back the fear title again.
@robdylan (Comment 56) :
I don’t think Solly is the right guy.
BTW, I saw Edward Griffiths in town…
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 3) : Ok here goes:
The Sharks needs a no shit taking coach like John Mitch but can’t see this happening.
I would like either John Mitch or Jimmy Stonehouse as Head coach and all the assistant coaches to be restructured to other positions as to allow the new Head coach to appoint his own assistants.
The Sharks will go for Deans, Williams, De Villiers, Rassie Erasmus or some other “tried (or tired) and tested” option.
@JD (Comment 72) :
Sorry Rassie is not available.
@Letgo (Comment 67) : yes I know a coaching certificate does not mean that much was more teasing. I really can’t see Botes being offered or accepting the post of Head coach.
Not a big surprise this tbh.
@Morné (Comment 41) : Yeah I reckon he would be ideal.
@Morné (Comment 73) : What is he doing nowadays anyway? You never hear of him.
@Morné (Comment 71) : 😀 You think he knows of a CEO position about to become vacant?
How about Dawie Theron? His contract is up after this year/tournament I believe. He’s done alright with the baby boks, and did well with Griquas and probably wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. Wouldn’t mind seeing him get the gig
@RedSharkUtd82 (Comment 75) :
He is my boss 😆
@Letgo (Comment 62) : You are jumping to conclusions there. BMH didn’t accept a role in the bigger Sharks coaching structure…maybe Everitt accepted a role as the Vodacom Cup backline coach? Let’s wait for an official announcement on the roles of Sean, Paul etc.
@RuckingFun (Comment 77) : Interesting option that
@Morné (Comment 78) : Wahaha oh 😳
For me I have been saying this for some time now, somehow convince Mitchell to become head coach and ask Robert du Preez to join as his assistant, also bring in a Kop Doktor!!!
As for Horak I think Bashford was better with defence as a coach than Horak.
@RuckingFun (Comment 77) : Theron would make sense he’s a big gabba of Venter’s ,they coached the baby boks together,and listen to whoever you want but believe, that as usual Venter pulls all the strings at K.P
@The hound (Comment 83) : Might even be a good call as he also does not take nonsense, Baby Boks are playing a very nice brand of rugby.
@sharks_lover (Comment 84) : would be great but I get the feeling hes getting ready to take over the boks
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 85) : Methinks he is high on WPRU list for a new coach.
Get duck Muir in at least as a temp. Take it from there. We are once again running out of time before the next big contest, not to mention some key players might get nervous and sign elsewhere.
Duck Muir. Ja I think I’ll keep that one.
@Morné (Comment 71) : Oh I agree…and even if he was, to be really honest, I wouldn’t want him here…
@RuckingFun (Comment 77) : Interesting…
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 85) : You reckon?
I vote Dawie Theron 😀
Any news on Hawies Fourie’s contract status? Really not alot of local coaches that has done their dues and worked their way up.
@SeanyJMc (Comment 92) : Watching the junior Boks now – I vote Dawie for the Stormers job.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 94) :
Good Night,good bye good riddence,why did it take so long,the Sharks now need a heavyweight coach who has won SR,only problem such men won’t work with a DOR like Gold ,so big problem already, Deans or Mackenzie would do ,still think JM is the right man.
@benji (Comment 96) : Frans Ludeke has won it twice and should be available, will he do?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 97) : definitely not mate,how can you even mention Blue when talking about Black and White,just for even mentioning it you should be shot at dawn
@SheldonK (Comment 14) : no the water boys, but even they were having none of it
@Kabouter (Comment 93) : he seems to have just accepted a job at Maties.
@robdylan (Comment 100) : My alma mater…MAAAATIIIEEESSS!!!!
pparently Jimmy has informed the Bulls, Stormers and Sharks of his coaching interests. We need to move quickly and offer this guy a forwards coach role before the other unions do. The Bulls will go with the Van Graan, Matfield and Fourie combo. Stormers on the other hand have proved to be very street smart and may offer him a forwards coach role. We need to be smarter and move quickly. Imagine a John Mitchell, Jimmy Stone and Cheester Williams combo!!? Getting an org**** just thinking about it.
Please not Chester Williams
Admin: post edited
@GreatSharksays (Comment 102) : Stormers already have Matt Proudfoot as forward coach and I’d argue he’s better than Stonehouse
All interesting stuff…
Also noise im Eastern Cape that Jimmy is targeted for Kings head coach.
How about Mitchell HC, Stonehouse and Carlos Spencer as assistants. Stonehouse could be trained as future HC
@Kabouter (Comment 106) : you never know a man’s determination but for me the Sharks forwards job is more attractive than the Kings Head coach job. Jimmy is a very good coach and working with Mitchell can allow him to be an even better coach. He could then take over from Mitchell after 4 years. Just need John and Gary to make this happen quickly. Time is against us. I don’t want Theron anywhere near the Sharks. Stormers can have him.
@Kabouter (Comment 106) : @GreatSharksays (Comment 107) :
guys , stonehouse wont take a AC job .
@Zibbie (Comment 108) : This is what he said after he left the Pumas.
“If I was an assistant coach with a Super Rugby franchise and learning from them, I could in turn teach my guys.”
Soooo ja I’m not sure he won’t accept an offer.
Ok it was a story from Sports 24 I must admit.
@Farlington (Comment 109) : well had lots of conflicting stories surrounding him demanding the Lions head coaching job and so on . but why not take a HC job at say the Kings ? less pressure . time to learn
@Zibbie (Comment 110) : The only thing that appears to be certain is that he wants to coach at this level and wants to further his career. Also can’t say I heard that he demanded the Lions coaching job but that would be a pipe dream if ever there was one. The Lions union is the only one that has things in order, or so it seems. 😉 The Cheetahs, Sharks, Bulls, Stormers and Kings are all going thru some serious changes and he could actually still join anyone of them.
@Farlington (Comment 109) : Thanks. Correct, that is what he said. Besides, which SA coach would not like to learn from Mitchell after seeing this year’s disaster of a tournament from a SA perspective. Even look at the Baby Boks, good on paper but my my…..the coaching creativity leaves much to be desired. If our coaches think they have the know how at this stage to win a SR tournament their heads are in the clouds. This is why it is imperative that our management fully comprehends this before making a decision on the HC vacancy. The decision needs to be a very strategic one that looks at the Sharks future. A guy like Mitchell can transfer his technical coaching skills to the entire Sharks rugby structure. The DOR role then becomes critical to our survival. At the moment we are in shambles. From the senior side right down to the craven week side. Total shambles. To date, we have not even managed to secure PSDT and Marcel.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 112) : 🙁
I think we might need Raymond Reddington as our next coach!
@GreatSharksays (Comment 112) : I must admit I’m really concerned about SA Rugby in general. If you look at the state of the unions and the “brand” we playing we are really going backwards. NZL sides are way ahead and it seems each year they just pull away even more. The fact that we have had so many coaches leave in such a short space of time from our unions is disconcerting. Where are we heading? I really hope that who ever fills the vacant positions at the Stormers, Bulls, Sharks and Kings can and will have the required skill sets to make our unions competitive again. Hell if it wasn’t for the conference system where would we have been this year? This RWC is going to be very tough for us. And the sad thing is that it’s not like we don’t have the players.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 112) : proper strategic thinking is required and the guts to back it. A rebuild does not happen overnight though. Does anyone know the details of Stonehouse contract? Surely Sharks cant afford another big money buy out. For interest Stonehouse could also work well with Deans as AC. With Hawies Fourie apparently tied, I would love Carlos Spencer as AC, he is wasting his talent lying around at the Port Elizabeth beach bars.
Hopefully the roles of
Botes, Everitt, Anthony and Strudders become clear very quickly. Does anyone know Keyser’s coach qualifications and role?
Any chance Andre Snyman could be lured back for in future? Sounds like he is giving it a good go in the USA