Swinton Lions head coach Paul Wood has resigned following their 74-6 defeat at Doncaster.
Wood, who took charge of the team in October 2024, has left the club a day after the Lions suffered a seventh straight Championship defeat.
The 44-year-old coach led a young Swinton Lions side to an impressive third-place finish in League One last season, but has departed with the team yet to record a win in the newly restructured second tier this campaign.
The Championship and League One were merged into one division of 20 teams ahead of the season in a move the Rugby Football League hopes will make clubs “more attractive for investment” in the long run.
Swinton Lions have struggled to compete against established sides with bigger budgets throughout the start of the season and recorded just one win under Wood against amateur side Ince Rose Bridge in the Challenge Cup third round.
“Swinton Lions would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Paul Wood for his service, commitment and leadership during his time at the club.
“Paul played a key role in delivering a strong and highly competitive 2025 season, with the team performing admirably in RFL League 1, particularly given the development of a young and emerging squad.
“Unfortunately, results in the 2026 season have not progressed as we would have hoped. Following yesterday’s defeat, Paul took the decision to tender his resignation, which the board has reluctantly accepted.
“The board wishes to thank Paul for his professionalism and dedication throughout his tenure and wishes him every success in the future.”
Wood departs with Swinton Lions in 19th place in the Championship, two points below local rivals Salford RLFC, ahead of their game at Heywood Road on Sunday.
The former England international inherited a depleted squad in 2024 on the back of an underwhelming Championship campaign that saw the club relegated after a play-off defeat to Hunslet.
He was successful in guiding the team to an impressive third-place finish in the third-tier last season and told Salford Now in October that there was “a lot of passion and willingness to drive the club forward.”
Back then, he admitted that competing in the Championship would be an uphill battle but said the club was “moving in a good direction from top to bottom.”
Swinton Lions confirmed that their search for Wood’s replacement was underway with the team approaching a keenly-awaited Salford derby this weekend.
“Confirmation of the new head coach will be communicated as soon as possible,” a statement said.
