Sean Long

October 2022 to August 2023

After a run of former half-backs as head coach including Jon Duffy, Ryan Carr and James Webster, Featherstone had chosen ex-prop Brian McDermott to lead the side in what was ultimately a disappointing 2022 campaign. When Rovers failed to make the Grand final, McDermott resigned and Sean Long was quickly appointed. Much decorated as a player, chiefly at St. Helens, with four Super League titles, five Challenge Cups (including three Lance Todd trophies) and 21 Great Britain and England caps, Long had done everything as a player before retiring in 2011. Featherstone Rovers was his first official head coach appointment, after numerous assistant coach roles at Salford, St. Helens and latterly Leeds. He had also worked with Samoa and France in World Cup tournaments. His first work with Featherstone had been as interim Director of Rugby in 2013 following the departure of Daryl Powell and then Ryan Sheridan, assisting acting head coach Danny Evans. In October 2022 he became Rovers' 41st post-war coaching appointment and the 35th different person in the role.

The 2023 season started in commanding fashion. With a high quality squad, Rovers consistently steamrollered opposition on a weekly basis. By August, their only reversals had been against Halifax in the Challenge cup and a more alarming loss to Toulouse. Frustratingly for a former scrum-half, it was at halfback where Rovers had a few problems, with Johnathon Ford often injured, and a variety of combinations tried. Another surprise defeat at Halifax in August led to a parting of ways with Long. Although he had won 19 of his 22 games in charge, there was a feeling the team should be performing better, and he was replaced for the remainder of the season by then Director of Rugby James Ford.

2023 Total: Won 19 Lost 3 = 86.36%