Daniel Anderson

Daniel Anderson was a school teacher at St Greg's in Campbelltown and a lowly junior grade coach at the Eels when a literal sliding doors moment would change his life. With Anderson standing in the elevator at Parramatta Leagues club, Eels head coach Brian Smith walked in. Anderson took his opportunity and systematically broke down the issues with the first grade side. Smith, one of the game's best coaches of the modern era, was mightily impressed. He immediately awarded Anderson with the reserve grade coaching role where the Eels won that title in 1999.

Smith promoted him again to his assistant coach in 2000. Anderson took the role as head coach of the Warriors in 2001 but the wheels were already in motion for one of the most dominant NRL seasons in history when Smith's Eels swept all before them to charge their way to the 2001 minor premiership.

The Warriors finished second last in 2000 and the club was floundering. 

Anderson's arrival saw the Auckland club surge to make their first finals series in 2001 with Anderson receiving NRL Coach of the Year, ahead of Smith.

Then in 2002, Anderson's Warriors claimed their first minor premiership, only to go down to Ricky Stuart and Brad Fittler's Roosters in the grand final.

In 2005, Anderson signed to coach St Helens in the Super League and in a four-year stint, helped the club to several Challenge Cup wins and Super League grand final appearances.

He then returned to Australia to finally become head coach of Parramatta in 2009 where the Eels succumbed to the salary-cap cheating Melbourne Storm in the grand final.