The Brisbane Broncos have made a surprising decision to part ways with head coach Kevin Walters, effective immediately, just 12 months after leading the team to the NRL grand final. The move comes after a comprehensive end-of-season review of the club’s football department. Walters, a former Broncos captain and a five-time premiership winner as a player, leaves with a mixed coaching record.
Broncos Part Ways with Kevin Walters
In a statement released by the Brisbane Broncos, Kevin Walters acknowledged the toll coaching has taken on him and his family. “Coaching in the NRL takes a toll, not just on the coach but also their family – it’s time for me to step away and spend some quality time with my loved ones, who have supported me all the way over the last four years,” Walters said.
Walters also expressed gratitude to the club for the opportunity to coach and took pride in the progress made during his tenure. “We have come a long way from the wooden spoon to last year’s run to the grand final,” he added. Walters’ departure leaves a vacancy that could reshape the club as they look for new leadership.
A Difficult Year for the Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos endured a challenging 2024 NRL season, finishing in 12th position, far from the lofty heights of the previous year’s grand final appearance. The team’s captain, Adam Reynolds, expressed surprise at the sudden news of Walters’ departure. “We were as surprised as anyone when the news broke – we still haven’t heard anything official,” Reynolds stated.
Reynolds credited Walters as a significant factor in his decision to join the Brisbane Broncos and shared his disappointment. “Kevvie is one of the main reasons I came to the club. I’m naturally disappointed. I have a lot of respect for him,” Reynolds added. The Broncos skipper revealed that players were largely in the dark about the decision, indicating the lack of communication from the club’s management.
Mutual Agreement to End Kevin Walters’ Contract
Sources close to the situation suggested that Walters’ departure was a result of a mutual agreement between the Brisbane Broncos and the coach. Despite the decision, there is clear respect between the two parties. Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy paid tribute to Walters, acknowledging his role in helping the team through difficult times.
“Kevin put his heart and soul into the club during his time as coach. He is one of the most passionate people you will ever meet when it comes to the Broncos,” Donaghy said. “While we will miss Kev and his infectious personality on a daily basis, we certainly don’t want one of the Broncos favourite sons not to stay involved with our great club,” Donaghy added.
Walters, often referred to as “Kevvie,” took over as head coach of the Broncos in 2020, guiding the team through 99 NRL games. He achieved 50 wins during his tenure, becoming the third-longest-serving coach in the club’s history. Despite these accomplishments, Walters only led the Broncos to one finals appearance, which ended in a dramatic grand final loss to the Penrith Panthers.
Searching for a New Broncos Coach
The search for a new Broncos coach is already underway, with several names being discussed in the NRL news circuit. Queensland State of Origin assistant coach Josh Hannay and NSW State of Origin coach Michael Maguire are considered leading candidates. Maguire, who applied for the Brisbane Broncos job previously, has boosted his profile with his successful stint coaching the Blues.
However, Queensland State of Origin coach Billy Slater has repeatedly expressed disinterest in becoming an NRL head coach. Despite this, the Broncos may still attempt to tempt Slater into reconsidering. Other potential candidates include former Eels coach Brad Arthur, who recently signed a one-year deal with Leeds in the Super League but may still be a contender for the Broncos role.
Tough Decisions Ahead for Broncos
The Broncos’ decision to part ways with Kevin Walters signals the club’s determination to seek a fresh start after a disappointing season. However, the news has caught many by surprise, including the players. Adam Reynolds, who had a tough season marred by injuries, spoke about the challenges the team faced this year. “It’s been a tough year. Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. We lost four players from last year’s grand final, and me, Reece [Walsh], and Payne [Haas] have been out for long periods this year,” Reynolds said.
As the Broncos assess their future, they will need to make critical decisions not only on the next head coach but also on how to rebuild a team capable of returning to premiership contention.
Looking Forward
Kevin Walters’ departure has left a significant void at the Broncos, and fans are eager to see who will take on the role of head coach. With potential candidates like Michael Maguire and Josh Hannay in the mix, the Broncos are poised for a new chapter in their storied history. The club’s focus will now turn to assembling a team that can compete for NRL supremacy once again.
In the meantime, Walters leaves behind a legacy of passion and dedication to the Broncos. As he steps away from the coaching role, his contributions to the club, both as a player and coach, will not be forgotten.
