VOTE Next Queensland coach.

[Super Freak]

The Queensland Rugby League has today appointed Kevin Walters as XXXX Queensland Maroons coach through to the end of 2018.

One of Queensland’s favourite rugby league sons, Walters will have the responsibility of leading the Maroons into an exciting new era following Mal Meninga’s elevation to the national role.

QRL Chairman Peter Betros said the Board unanimously agreed to offer the position to Walters after meeting with him before Christmas.

“This is a fantastic appointment for Kevin, the current Maroons Origin team and the game of rugby league in Queensland,” Betros said.

“Kevin’s passion for Queensland, his intimate understanding of the current Origin set-up and his extensive coaching experience at many levels of the game are all key factors that place him in a great position to guide the XXXX Maroons over the next three years.”

Walters said he was thrilled to be given the opportunity.

“Coaching Queensland is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Walters said.

“It’s truly an honour to be in a position to coach such a fine group of players and to be entrusted with the responsibility of developing future Origin talent through our programs.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead, starting with the QAS Emerging Origin camps in the New Year.”

In recent years, Walters has been heavily involved in the QRL’s High Performance programs.

As the coach of the Queensland Under 20s team in 2012 and 2014, Walters played a pivotal role in the rise of some outstanding talent, including Anthony Milford, Cameron Munster and Luke Bateman.

A former Broncos and Maroons five-eighth, Walters launched his coaching career in style by guiding the Toowoomba Clydesdales to the 2001 Queensland Cup premiership.

He led the Ipswich Jets to the 2008 grand final before taking up the head coaching position with the Catalans Dragons, the club he took to within one win of an English Super League grand final.

Walters carries extensive NRL experience into the Maroons’ top job, having worked with the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm.

He has been an assistant coach with Meninga’s record-breaking Maroons throughout four State of Origin series.
QRL Managing Director Robert Moore congratulated Walters on his appointment.

“As we prepare to move into a new Origin period, Kevin has demonstrated to us that he understands our needs for the future,” Moore said.

“He takes the role with a long-term view towards the development of future Origin players.”

KEVIN WALTERS

Playing Record

State of Origin – Queensland Maroons

Years: 1989-1994, 1996, 1998-1999
Games: 20
Tries: 3
Points: 12
* Three Super League games (1997)

Australia

Years: 1990-1998
Games: 11
Tries: 1
Points: 4

Club

Teams: Canberra Raiders, Brisbane Broncos, Warrington Wolves
Years: 1987-2001
Games: 296
Tries: 74
Points: 293

QRL announces Maroons coach - QRL

 

[Super Freak]

Bit of an embarrassment, isn't it?

First off the **** around of finding a coach to replace Mal.. Which shouldn't have taken so long. I thought Kevin was being groomed to take over all along? Should have just been a simple process that took a couple of days to complete..

Then they say they don't want Kevin. They want Green.

Then Green doesn't want the job. And neither does Hagan, Locky or Alfie..

So they come crawling back to Kevin and act like they are thrilled to have him.

Hahaha. Fucking hell. I think they could have handled it better..

 

[broncos4life]

Embarrassing. Part of me wishes Kevvie told them to stick it.

 

[1910]

Kevvie won't be at the Broncos until after the Origin series.

 

[Unbreakable]

Kevvie won't be at the Broncos until after the Origin series.

Well.. that sucks.

 

[ChewThePhatt]

Congratulations Kev. QLD is with you all the way! Will miss him at the Broncos tho....

 

[Harry Sack]

Kevvie won't be at the Broncos until after the Origin series.

Was wondering about this. Bugger

 

[Mister Wright]

I thought Bennett said he had to stop his role as backs coach at the Broncos if he takes the QLD job.

 

[Broncoman]

Who takes Walters' role when he is out for Origin?

 

[tommy]

I thought Bennett said he had to stop his role as backs coach at the Broncos if he takes the QLD job.

Wasn't Bennett the one who said it's entirely possible to do both roles when he was going for the Australian job ? I s'pose most of the internationals are at the end of the season .

 

[Foordy]

Wasn't Bennett the one who said it's entirely possible to do both roles when he was going for the Australian job ? I s'pose most of the internationals are at the end of the season .

IMO a lot more goes into coaching origin than internationals.

 

[ivanhungryjak]

KEVIN Walters has started his one-year sabbatical from the Broncos certain of one thing — it’s not possible for him to one day be head coach of Brisbane and Queensland sides at the same time.Walters starts work on January 11 in a three-year, fulltime job with the QRL and Wayne Bennett plans to welcome him back as Broncos assistant coach in 2017.
That’s the last year of Bennett’s three-year contract with Brisbane, with the Broncos coach, who turns 66 on Friday, to either pass on the baton for 2018 or agree to another contract.
“I don’t think it’s possible for someone can be head coach of an NRL coach and coach the state,’’ Walters said.
“I haven’t done either, but I just know from being around clubs and around the Origin team you can’t do both in a professional manner.’’
Bennett said he agreed with the strategy that Walters could not coach Queensland next year while at the same time assisting him at Red Hill.

“We are very happy for Kevin,’’ Bennett said.“We will review it at the end of next year but he has to make sure he nails this job.’’

Bennett will decide whether he needs to add to his coaching staff for next season.
“We need to talk about all that,’’ he said.
Walters, a gifted radio and television pundit, will continue in those roles but is mindful of having a deluxe preparation for his first Origin series.
“It’s best I put all my energy and football focus into the Origin team and not be aligned with a club,’’ he said.

“It also takes a little away from `Oh, he’s favouring the Broncos’ (as Maroons coach). Although I’ve worked with the Broncos and Storm, it’s best for the organisation as well if I take a step back.’’

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...nt-coach-in-2017/story-fni3gv5x-1227690965808

 

[vertigo]

It only looks bad from a PR stance, I'm sure Kevvie is thrilled to be coaching the best Origin team of all time.

 

[Mister Wright]

If Kevin Walters can transition this QLD team full of greats and keep us winning with new players it will do his credentials for an NRL head coaching gig no harm at all.

Good luck to him.

 

[1910]

It only looks bad from a PR stance, I'm sure Kevvie is thrilled to be coaching the best Origin team of all time.

Kevvie was proactive and rang the QRL and said second choice or not I am not offended I want this gig; he was interviewed on the 19th for the position.

The whole board voted for him and he was impressive. He had lots of good ideas like introducing ISC coaches to his staff not just FOGS.

Remember Mal was second choice too and that worked out alright.

 

[Morkel]

Kevvie was proactive and rang the QRL and said second choice or not I am not offended I want this gig; he was interviewed on the 19th for the position.

The whole board voted for him and he was impressive. He had lots of good ideas like introducing ISC coaches to his staff not just FOGS.

Remember Mal was second choice too and that worked out alright.

Good on Kev. Pride in the jersey, pride in the job before all else.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Good on Kev. Pride in the jersey, pride in the job before all else.

Expect nothing less from Kev, be it for the Broncos, mighty maroons or Australia he always gave it his best, not the type to let his ego get him in the way of getting what he wants.

 

[1910]

Hagan out and Kevvie, Kevvie looking at adding one other to Hetherington, Alf and Steve.

Talk is it will be Lam, Woolf, Demetriou or Ingebrigsten.