Who is new South Sydney coach Ben Hornby? And how did he get his VERY rude nickname?
- Ben Hornby is the Rabbitohs’ new interim NRL coach
- Replaces Jason Demetriou who was fired on Tuesday
- Hornby, 44, was a premiership winner with Dragons in 2010
Ben Hornby has been appointed as South Sydney’s interim coach for the remainder of the NRL season – and many football fans want to know: who exactly is he?
Hornby, 44, also has one of the best nicknames in sports: ‘Me So Hornby’, a clever twist on a scene from the famous ’80s drama Full metal jacket.
Dragons fans often proudly displayed the cheeky sign during Hornby’s decorated playing career, especially at home games at Kogarah Oval in Sydney’s south and WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
After growing up on the NSW south coast, Hornby was rated by the St George Illawarra Dragons and made his NRL debut in 2000 against the Panthers.
Hornby played mainly at half or full-back and quickly became a key figure for the Dragons, alongside Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper and Trent Barrett.
Ben Hornby (pictured, right) has been appointed as South Sydney’s interim coach for the remainder of the NRL season
Hornby played for the Dragons between 2000 and 2012 and led the club to the NRL premiership in 2010
Hornby, 44, also has one of the best nicknames in sport: ‘Me So Hornby’, a clever take on a scene from 1980s drama film Full Metal Jacket (pictured: A sign held at WIN Stadium in Wollongong by a Draken fan)
He represented the NSW Blues in three matches from 2004 to 2008, with his crowning achievement as the player leading the Dragons to victory in the NRL grand final against the Roosters in 2010.
Hornby then turned his attention to coaching, working with the Dragons in junior development before rising through the ranks to become assistant NRL coach at the joint venture club.
Next was a move to the Rabbitohs, where Hornby worked under Wayne Bennett and Jason Demetriou.
After winning a premiership with Bennett at the Red V in 2010, Hornby is tipped to step aside when the ‘Supercoach’ returns to the Bunnies as head coach next year.
The 44-year-old (pictured during Souths training) first cut his teeth as an NRL assistant coach with the Dragons
CEO Blake Solly confirmed on Wednesday that the club will contact Bennett regarding a second spell at the club, which he guided to the 2021 grand final.
“Wayne is one of the coaches we’ll be talking to,” Solly said.
‘Wayne had a lot of success, he left the club on very good terms. We will talk to Wayne and if he is available and interested, we will certainly make progress on that.
‘I think we want someone who can get the best out of the playing group.
‘And we also want a coach who understands the values, heritage and history of this club.’
Hornby has a tough assignment on the hot seat first: his team will take on the Panthers at Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday evening.