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6 months ago
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Queensland champion Billy Slater has revealed the family reasons that will see him reject Parramatta's offer to make him an NRL coach.
Slater played an incredible 31 games for Queensland during the Maroons' eight-year reign between 2006 and 2013 and is unbeaten as Queensland coach since taking over from Paul Green in 2022.
The Eels are at a coaching crossroads after sacking Brad Arthur following 11 years without a premiership, but also missing out on their prime target Wayne Bennett who signed with cross-town rivals South Sydney.
That has put both Origin coaches in contention, with Parramatta reportedly considering both Slater and New South Wales mentor Michael Maguire.
Billy Slater has dominated the State of Origin arena as both a player and a coach - but making the leap to running an NRL team is another thing entirely
Slater is dedicated to his wife Nicole and their children Tyla Rose and Jake (pictured) who all live together on a farm just outside Melbourne
Slater (pictured second from left with teammates Cameron Smith, centre, and Cooper Cronk, right) played 31 games for Queensland during the Maroons' eight-year run of dominance
After retiring in 2018, Slater moved to a farm with Nicole and their two children, daughter Tyla Rose, 13, and son Jake, 11 where they love family life outside of his Origin and media commitments.
Now Slater has revealed he is not going to disrupt that precious family time by taking up a post with the Parramatta Eels or any other NRL club.
'I am all in for the Queensland job and if I'm not coaching Queensland, I'm not coaching anyone else,' Slater told News Corp.
'I have been very forward with that.
'For that [being linked to Eels post] to be a statement over the last 24 hours … this is the first time I have been asked about this issue.
'I'm Queensland's coach and if I'm not Queensland's coach, I'm not coaching anyone.'
Slater initially signed a two-year contract to begin a new era for Queensland.
After a highly successful debut as an Origin coach, the 40-year-old agreed to a new three-year extension in September.
Now confirmed as Queensland's coach until 2026, Slater remains a Storm legend and stays connected with Melbourne.
Slater has been a master coach since he was appointed Maroons mentor in 2022
However, the Melbourne champion has no desire to enter the grind of NRL coaching because of his love of family life
Many believe Slater would excel as a club coach due to his strong work ethic, impressive background, and keen attention to detail.
However, the Queensland Origin legend clearly stated he has no current interest in becoming one of the NRL's 17 head coaches.
But it is all because of his family, not because of any doubts over the pressure of being an NRL mentor.
'It's not so much the pressure of the NRL job,' Slater said.
'I'm not worried about that.
'But it's a huge commitment being an NRL coach, it's an 11-months-of-the-year, seven-days-a-week job.
'I've been in and around the NRL environment for over two decades now. I understand what those NRL coaches put into it and it's all in.
'Where I am at with my life and my family, I don't foresee myself in the near future ever becoming an NRL coach.
'Maybe that changes down the track, you never say never, but I'm here to do my part for Queensland.
'I'm happy in this role and if I'm not the Queensland head coach, well, I'm not a coach.'
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