That isn't a slight on his coaching ability; in fact, he has proved to be a very good coach when given the reins.
No, it doesn't particularly matter how good a coach Kearney is. It comes down to the players and if the past five years are any indication, the end to their mediocrity isn't coming any time soon.
The Warriors are like the high school star that seemingly had the world at his feet, but didn't have the mental strength and work ethic to make the grade.
They have all the talent they could ask for but they can't translate it into consistent performances.
Many blame the coach, but that's unfair. The Warriors have had good coaches that weren't successful in the worst gig in the competition.
Brian McClennan won a Tri Nations with the Kiwis, the Bartercard Cup with the Auckland Lions and back-to-back Super League titles with Leeds Rhinos.
He lasted just one season with the Auckland franchise.
Matt Elliot won a Super League title with Bradford Bulls and led the Penrith Panthers to the second-best record in the 2010 NRL season.
He was sacked five games into his second season with the Warriors.
Maybe Kearney will buck the trend. Then again, he could join a long list of coaches sacked because they couldn't get the best out of an admittedly talented team.
Either way, the coach isn't the issue with the Warriors - it's the players.
Many of the Warriors `best' players had average seasons. Ben Matulino was less than a shade of his former self. Manu Vatuvei had off-field issues and continued to be a defensive liability. Issac Luke turned up unfit and his back-ups Jazz Tavega and Nathaniel Roache offered more than him.
Critics love to point the finger at Shaun Johnson but they're missing the big issue. Yes, he didn't have his best season but it's tough for a half to perform well behind a struggling pack that isn't getting field possession.
Attitude is their biggest issue. Take the AnzacDay match against the Melbourne Storm for example. In what was probably their worst performance of the year, they showed no commitment on defence. They allowed the softest of tries in a truly dreadful performance.
They need tenacity and work ethic. Only Bodene Thompson and Simon Mannering consistently showed these traits. The onus goes on the rest of the pack to pick up their game. Ben Matulino and Ryan Hoffman should be on notice.
Kearney, a forwards-based coach, won't be afraid of making changes to the team. He should put the pack on notice, give them the ``shape up or ship out'' spiel.
Maybe he could bring back Elijah Taylor. Taylor would add desperately needed work ethic and resolve to the pack.
Both would be better bets than picking up Kieran Foran, who could realistically not play a game next year due to off-field issues.
No matter who they bring in though, it's up to the players to step up. Otherwise we could be seeing another coaching witch-hunt in 12 months' time.
- by Andrew Johnsen
