OFFICIAL Kevin Walters Steps Down As Broncos Coach

[leish107]

The Brisbane Broncos have sacked coach Kevin Walters just 12 months after he led the club to a grand final.
The Broncos held an end-of-season review and decided to terminate the contract of Walters effective immediately.

Broncos chairman Karl Morris confirmed the decision to News Corp.
“We feel deeply for Kev,” he said. “He will always be a respected guy and a legend of the Broncos and he will always be treated that way.

“Of course I am shocked. This is a huge job and a pressure job at the Broncos. We have great appreciation for Kevvie’s efforts and wish him well.”
Walters has been at the helm of the Broncos for the past four seasons. They have missed the finals on three of those occasions despite having a star-studded team.

Adam Reynolds of the Broncos reacts after a Panthers try in the grand final.Credit:Getty Images
His only finals appearance came last season when he led the Broncos within 16 minutes of a premiership, before being run down by Nathan Cleary and the Penrith Panthers.
The Broncos failed to reach lofty heights in 2024 and finished the season in 12th position, forcing the club into a major review of the football department under Walters’ watch.


Club legend Ben Te’o and former Parramatta Eels interim coach Trent Barrett were brought to the club to be Walters’ assistants next season.
Other potential options for the Broncos include Queensland State of Origin assistant coach Josh Hannay, who missed out on the Eels job to Jason Ryles.
NSW State of Origin coach Michael Maguire, who previously applied for the Broncos job, is also expected to be one of the leading contenders given his feats for the Blues this year.
Ex-Eels coach Brad Arthur has signed a one-year deal with Leeds in the Super League for next year but could also become a potential replacement for Walters.
Other coaches with NRL experience include Jason Demetriou and Justin Holbrook.
More to come ...

Reynolds says players ‘blind-sided’ as Broncos split with coach Kevin Walters

One of Brisbane’s highest profile players on Thursday night said players were still awaiting communications from the club.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Xarr]

Something you've heard, or just sharing your thoughts?

Just my thoughts. wish we would've gotten jason ryles though

 

[Harry Sack]

Agree Josh Hannay or Jason Ryles

...Jason Ryles is coaching Parra mate.

 

[FACTHUNT]

Oh. My. Fucking. God.

 

[YeahNahMate]

Agree Josh Hannay or Jason Ryles

Ryles is Eels head coach

 

[Bucking Beads]

I can see why they have done it. The manner of our collapses and poor performances was worrying. I'm still very saddened its happened to one of the good guys of the Broncos.

This is the areas. Just sad how it’s all unfolded after 2023. No joy in this but it’s probably the right call. That said others need to go because there’s no way I’m happy with Kevvie being the fall guy for the state of the joint.

 

[Harry Sack]

Feel like a **** but....

 

[Xarr]

For those that can't get behind the paywall. From the Courier Mail:

Kevin Walters has been sacked as Broncos coach.

It can be revealed Walters has severed ties with the Broncos immediately following a club-wide review in the wake of Brisbane’s shock free fall to finish 12th this season.
In March, Walters had been given a one-year contract extension until the end of 2026 after guiding the Broncos to a fairytale 2023 grand-final appearance, which they lost to Penrith.
But Walters was officially terminated on Thursday night following a two-week review of Brisbane’s football operations after the Broncos’ slide from grand finalists to finals also-rans this season.
Broncos chairman Karl Morris confirmed Walters would be leaving immediately.
We feel deeply for Kev,” he said.

“He will always be a respected guy and a legend of the Broncos and he will always be treated that way.

“Of course I am shocked. This is a huge job and a pressure job at the Broncos.

“We have great appreciation for Kevvie’s efforts and wish him well.”

News of Walters’ departure began to filter through to the players on Thursday evening.

Walters is a club legend, winning five premierships during a decorated career that saw him play 241 first-grade games for the Broncos.

The 56-year-old was appointed as Broncos coach for the 2021 season following the departure of Anthony Seibold, who steered Brisbane to their first even wooden spoon in 2020.

But after making the finals just once in four seasons, the Broncos board has acted decisively and pulled the trigger on Walters, who was informed of his dismissal on Thursday night.

The Broncos will begin the search for a new coach immediately.

Just two weeks ago, Walters had the backing of Brisbane chief executive Dave Donaghy, who was adamant the Broncos coach would be in charge and ready to make amends in 2025.

But Walters will not get that opportunity, with the playing group having been advised of his termination.

Walters had 99 games in charge of the Broncos, winning 50 games for a 50.5 per cent success rate.

Walters had only just hired a new team of assistants with Ben Te’o and Trent Barrett to join him at Red Hill in 2025.

More to come.......

The club hasn't had their end of season awards night yet as I assume they were waiting for the NRLW season to finish. Might be an awkward night now that they've sacked the coach......

Feel for Trent barret, he was sacked from parra because Arthur was terminated and now the person that hired him got sacked again

 

[Johnny92]

What's the go with the assistants then?
Wouldn't a new coach want his own team, one of the assistants better not get the role.

But going from the podcast with Matty Johns and McGuire. Sounded like Madge has spoken with the club

 

[YeahNahMate]

The "old boys" are going to commit war crimes after this.

 

[FACTHUNT]

Feel for Trent barret, he was sacked from parra because Arthur was terminated and now the person that hired him got sacked again

No. TBAZ can get fucked (literally). He is hot, rich, and has a glorious hairline.

+ he's a ghastly coach

 

[Bronx48]

That awards night is going to be so awkward. Will Billy attend?

 

[Brocko]

I just get a feeling it's Madge after that line of questions on the John's podcast the other week.

 

[Trill Harrigan]

i like the bloke but im glad he's gone

he had absolutely no idea what he was doing

cheers *****

 

[Evander]

They must have someone lined up, this can’t be their plan. This club man

 

[mitch222]

The "old boys" are going to commit war crimes after this.

Gordies head will have exploded

 

[Brocko]

Imagine Tallis if this broke before 360 tonight. Have to wait til next week now

 

[broncsgoat]

what the ****