NRL coach who was sacked after getting busted drink driving makes a very surprising move as team prepares for sudden-death final
James Maloney was sacked by the North Queensland Cowboys in early September after being arrested for drink driving. He is still in contact with several players as they prepare for an elimination semi-final against Cronulla.
Former attacking coach Maloney, 38, insists the split was “amicable” and, rather than being bitter, he takes responsibility for his actions.
The Roosters and Sharks champion continues to speak to players like Tom Dearden on the phone, and his influence was evident as the team’s linchpin virtually won last week’s game against the Knights by himself.
“There is no bad blood with the Cowboys,” Maloney told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘I didn’t leave on bad terms. They weren’t great terms, but I put myself in a position [and] They decided to let me go and I respect that.
“I still hope they win the league.”
Maloney added that Dearden in particular is “so easy to coach” and, unlike many other NRL stars, has the ability to break bad habits that can ingrain themselves in his game.
Maloney was one of the big names during his NRL playing days and joined the Cowboys coaching staff last November, signing a two-year contract.
James Maloney was sacked by the Cowboys after being caught drink driving in early September, but is still in contact with several players as they prepare for an elimination semi-final against Cronulla
James Maloney (pictured with wife Jess) insists the split with the Cowboys was ‘amicable’ – and rather than being bitter, he has held himself responsible
Tom Dearden’s game has been taken to the next level as he flourishes under the coaching of James Maloney (pictured, in action against the Knights)
Maloney worked for the club before his sacking, having returned to his native country late last year following spells in the British Super League with the Catalans and in the lower divisions of the French rugby league.
His rugby league IQ proved to be a valuable resource for coach Todd Payten.
In 2022, Maloney was fired by French club Lezignan after testing positive for cocaine.
Once back in Australia, Maloney turned down a job as a consultant with the Roosters, before moving to Townsville with his family.
It followed a chance meeting with NRL agent Isaac Moses in a chicken shop in Sydney’s west, who told Maloney that Payten was looking for a replacement for Dean Young, who had moved to the Dragons.
Maloney played 247 games in the NRL across 11 seasons with five clubs, also representing NSW and Australia in a successful career.
He hopes to secure a job as a coaching consultant at a rival NRL club in 2025.