Queensland will need to find a new coach for this year’s State of Origin campaign with Kevin Walters’ signing to be Brisbane’s new NRL head coach.
The 52-year-old has signed a two-year contract to take charge at the Broncos and will immediately step down from his Maroons’ role.
A former captain and five-time premiership winner with the Broncos, Walters’ appointment comes almost two years after he missed out on the coach’s role to Anthony Seibold.
“I love the Brisbane Broncos – this club is part of who I am and it feels like I am coming home,” he said.
“I’ve put in a lot of work over the past 15 years to learn and gain the experience that’s required to succeed in this role, so I feel that I’m ready.”
Walters faces a mammoth task to transform Brisbane after the worst season in their 32-year history.
In a far cry from his playing days, the Broncos finished last for the first time in the NRL with just three wins in 2020.
“The success of the Broncos over the years has been built on passion for the jersey, standing by your mates and plain old hard work, and we will strive for nothing less,” Walters said.
“I’m looking forward to getting into the building and starting work on preparations for the 2021 preseason.”
Just who will lead the Maroons in November’s Origin campaign remains unknown with former coaches Mal Meninga and Wayne Bennett among the early frontrunners.
Former North Queensland coach Paul Green, who Walters pipped to the Broncos job, is another candidate for the Maroons position.
Queensland Rugby League managing director Robert Moore said the process to find Walters’ replacement was already underway.
“We hope to be in a position by the end of the week to announce the new coach for the 2020 series,” Moore said.
Walters’ appointment has delighted former teammate and Broncos’ great Chris Johns.
Reports linking the club to Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy are also reasons for optimism in Johns’ eyes after a miserable year at Red Hill.
“Any club in the competition would want the services of Craig Bellamy coming in and overseeing their football department, if that eventuates,” Johns told AAP.
“I think there’s a lot of work to be done there. There’s no way that’s a done deal.
“That’ll just progress and see what can happen and bring him in but also now that Kevin’s putting his team together … you’ll see when he starts making some announcements, you’re gonna have some special people around him that are going to really help provide the environment for this place to really flourish.”
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
No. The incoming CEO is accountable for the decisions he makes. He has to be able to justify how much funding he provides the football department and he is accountable for that. If he can do that, then he is doing his job properly. If he can’t then he isn’t. He will be held to account by the board.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Yes, that is all fine. So the CEO should be responsible for the process. So shouldn't that be the CEO who intends to see it through? If the Broncos sign a new CEO in January and Walters says to that person, "when I got the job the last CEO said we could spend $3m on X, Y and Z to improve our facilities", and the new CEO looks at the proposal and the bank account and says, 'sorry that isn't feasible'. Then when the Broncos struggle again, Walters says "you didn't give me the resources and the CEO says, it was completly unrealistic. The person at fault is the previous CEO who is sipping mai-tai's in the tropics 800 km's away.... Accountability is all gone.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
No. Because the CEO should be hands off with regard to football. Making the CEO liable for the success of the head coach has been proven again and again to be a bad idea. That leads to CEOs being selected on the basis of their football smarts rather than their business smarts. We all know how that ends. The CEO should be responsible for the process of selecting the head coach, and thereafter making sure that the coach has the necessary resources to succeed. Provided the CEO does those jobs properly, the personal failings of an individual employee should not be laid at the feet of the CEO.
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
Bennett's the one to steady the ship, but he won't be there long-term. Rather than looking at clubland, they should stick with part-timers like Mal or Kev. But this time bring in the next gen, ex-players who are well respected and part of that golden era. Lockyer, Thursto, Cronk, Slater, Steve Price, Civo, these guys have the winning mentality, work ethic, revered amongst younger players and comfortable in the spotlight
matth
Roar Guru
Given how much he's always wanted this job and given he only has a two year contract, I expect he will be avoiding even the slightest perception of not giving it 110%.
Paul
Roar Guru
I guess if his starting few games are a tad rocky, detractors can't point to his involvement as a distraction. I also suspect, not having had a lot of involvement in coaching an NRL team, he'd be unsure how long each task you previously mentioned might take. I'd have thought any competent NRL coach with previous experience could still do the other job as well, but if giving it up means he's better prepared when the players DO come back, it makes his call 100% correct,
matth
Roar Guru
I’d say the politics and optics certainly comes into it as well
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
So the Broncos need a number 6. Will Kevie sign son Billy?
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
I get the separation. But the CEO should be in charge of signing the head coach correct? And the board control the CEO. If the CEO is planning to be gone next year, wouldn't it be in the best interest of the Club and the Board to appoint a new CEO and let him/her recruit the coach. Now the next CEO will be able to wipe their hands of the mess if Walters doesn't work out. That to me would be smarter business sense and that comes back to the Board/Front Office.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Fords are only one part of his dealership. He actually started with Holden but now his Eagers Automotive empire cover nearly every major brand. I've just noticed the Merc's seem to be the car of choice for the Roosters crew, right up to Robbo.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Wouldn't it be Fords??
Paul
Roar Guru
that's fair enough Matt and your response was pretty much what I was thinking, but I still don't see how that can't be slotted into a schedule that involves SOO? In other words, I don't see why these tasks can't be largely completed by the time the grand final rolls around, giving him plenty of time to look after the Maroons for SOO? I think it simply comes back to Walters wanting to show how serious & committed he is to the Broncos.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Some very tenuous links there Max. A) Of course you want a coach with a stronger CV but to say he's done nothing for 18yrs is wrong. Time under both Bennett and Bellamy with Catalans and Qld counts for a lot more then what half the current coaches started with. Then put Bellamy over the top again surely gives him the best chance to succeed. 2) Special Culture in the 90's - 5 premierships in 10yrs speaks for itself. 3) A one team city allows for massive support and membership. Corp support that can offer the best facilities, however, it's been quiet obvious for the last 20yrs that it doesn't guarantee the best players or premierships. Some of the best schools and QCup clubs have been aligned with southern clubs for decades. 4) I'm not sure either why Bennett can get the gig, especially when his team will (likely) go deep into finals.
Tony
Roar Guru
They're getting the band back together
Tony
Roar Guru
Playoffs? Winning half a dozen games will look good
Yawn
Guest
Little Kevie couldn’t resign from the Qld job quick enough I reckon.
Max power
Guest
They aren’t successful, they just have a massive advantage over every other club by being in Brisbane
Max power
Guest
Surely he could do origin first then the broncos when the season starts in 6 months ? Wayne Bennett can but he can’t ? The guy hasn’t been able to get a head coaching job for 18 years but old boys at the broncos like him. They think they had a special culture in the 90s and friday BBQ were a key to their success. Sounds very much like Dogs bringing back dean pay Broncos were good because they were a massive one city team
soapit
Roar Guru
siebolds last season with the rabbitohs was over rated and it could be seen at the time. they finished the year pretty poorly after teams worked out their systems. i was amazed what went on going to such lengths to do that swap. there are good points to head office no doubt but giving seibold that contract wasnt particularly perceptive if you look beneath the surface
matth
Roar Guru
He will be setting up his structure at the football department, assistants to be hired and roles allocated, existing staff to be interviewed and assessed. A structure for the off season to be set up, tactics, training methodology. I’d imagine this head coaching gig is quite a busy job.