From rugby nerd to environment coach: The remarkable rise of Wigan boss Matt Peet
Matt Peet never had the dream of being a head coach until just a couple of years ago, but now he is hungry to succeed in the Wigan hot seat.
He has been part of the Wigan make-up for more than 13 years. He was initially in Wigan’s academy as a player and went on to flourish in a number of coaching roles.
In a similar path to Shaun Wane, Peet progressed through the ranks in his coaching career at the Warriors. In his time overseeing the Warriors academy, they won six of out seven Grand Finals.
The former England Academy assistant coach opted for a new challenge in rugby union with Sale Sharks in 2018. He returned to the Warriors the following season as an assistant coach to the first team.
Now, Peet has became the youngest head coach in Super League at 37. But being a head coach was never the dream goal for Peet…
He told Love Rugby League: “When I got the academy roles I got at the time with the Under-18s, Reserves and Head of Youth, they were dream roles. They were all big steps for me and I was chuffed when I got those roles.
“I remember saying if I could make the Head of Youth role my job for five or 10 years then I was happy doing that. But as you settle into a role, you start wanting a different challenge. I suppose this is where it has led me to.
“When I came back to the club after I went to Sale, Ian (Lenagan) and Kris (Radlinski) said that they thought I had the potential to one day be a head coach. That’s why I came back. I think up until that moment I hadn’t really considered it. Not so early in my career but they presented that opportunity to me and that’s why I came back to the club.”
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“I’ve developed from a rugby nerd to a culture or environment coach”
Peet has enjoyed a fine start to life as a head coach. He led the Warriors to two wins from two in his first games against Hull KR and Leeds.
And he wants to improve the Warriors on and off the field. Peet has put a huge emphasis on culture over pre-season; and has helped tighten relationships between the club and its supporters.
Peet, who has a degree in English, has revealed he is constantly looking at ways of which he can improve.
He added: “I suppose I’ve developed from a rugby nerd to a culture or environment coach.
“I see my role now as more about shaping the environment rather than just what they see on the field.
“If you’ve got good staff, good players, the recruitment is good and you’ve got the right people in the building, then I think the rugby should be the product of what is a good environment.
“Obviously when you look at the organisation from within, you have your own philosophy on how you think things can be done. Once I’m put in a position where I can shape things then I always knew I’d want to do it a certain things.”
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