Career
He was appointed assistant coach of NRL team Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in 2006 and was subsequently appointed to the top position when former coach Ricky Stuart resigned on 20 July 2010. Flanagan played SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and President"s Cup for Saint George Dragons before his NRL debut for Street George in 1987. From 1989 to 1991, he played for Western Suburbs then moved to Parramatta from 1992 to 1994.
He retired from playing football following a knee injury and was engaged to coach the Parramatta SG Ball team in 1997.
He was assistant coach for the Sydney Roosters for two years alongside Stuart. He has coached the Australian Schoolboys, was assistant coach for Australia in 2007, and was assistant coach under Craig Bellamy of New South Wales from 2007-2010.
In July 2010 Flanagan was instated as Sharks head coach following Ricky Stuart"s resignation with six weeks remaining in the 2010 season. In 2012, Flanagan established himself as one of top coach"s of the NRL with Cronulla finishing 7th on the ladder by the competition"s education
Flanagan built a reputation for signing key players to the club
Having signed Todd Carney the previous year, Flanagan secured the purchases of Beau Ryan and Chris Heighington from the West Tigers, Michael Gordon and Luke Lewis from the Panthers and Jonathon Wright from the Bulldogs. Prior to the 2013 NRL season, fans were predicting Flanagan"s Sharks would have an impressive season on the back of the club"s new signings. In 2013, following a year-long investigation into the Sharks" supplements program carried out during the 2011 NRL season, Flanagan was suspended from his role for a period of 12 months.
