by - Matty Smith will be head coach of Wigan Academy.
- Smith joins in 2025 on a four-year contract.
- Smith: “I’m looking forward to working with all the coaches across the club and also improving and developing as a coach and I can’t wait to get started.”
Wigan Warriors are pleased to announce that Matty Smith will become Academy Head Coach from the 2025 season.
Smith will return to the Warriors, for whom he played 139 games at halfback between 2012 and 2016, winning two Super League Grand Finals and a Challenge Cup. He also won the Lance Todd Trophy in 2013 and made the Dream Team twice during his time at Wigan.
After leaving Wigan, he rejoined his hometown club St Helens and went on to play for Catalans Dragons, Warrington Wolves (on loan) and Widnes Vikings.
The 37-year-old took charge of the St Helens women’s team in December 2022 and led them to second place in the league and three consecutive Challenge Cup wins. During the 2023 season he worked alongside Paul Wellens as a first team assistant.
Kris Radlinski, managing director of Wigan Warriors, said: “Matty has always had a tremendous, forward-thinking rugby league brain. He used it productively as a player and, more recently, has expressed this through the teams he coached. Having done a great job with the St Helens women’s team, he now has a desire to further the development of the young elite men.
“Matt Peet and I met him and his passion for coaching came through. I think he will be an excellent addition to our club’s performance team.”
Head coach Matt Peet said: “Matty was heavily involved in coaching our juniors when he played here and his passion for coaching is clear to see. “We are delighted to welcome him back to the club.
“He has been very impressive in the way he has led his teams over the last few seasons. Our academy players will be in good hands.”
Matty Smith said: “I had a fantastic two years with St Helens Women and I really enjoyed the experience and we were a very successful group.”
“This is an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. I see this as a really big and important role that allows me to work with and develop the young talented people that this club has always produced.
“I’m looking forward to working with all the coaches across the club and also improving and developing as a coach and I can’t wait to get started.”
