Picture: ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
THE Brisbane Broncos are in the market for a new head coach after Kevin Walters resigned after four years in the role.
And the decision sparked media speculation about his departure — and successor.
In a club statement, Walters said that apart from playing for the Suncorp-based club, coaching the Broncos had been “the greatest thrill and honour” of his life.
He cites the demands made on his personal time and family for stepping away.
“Coaching in the NRL takes a toll, not just on the coach but also their family,” Walters says.
“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 says he is grateful to the club for making him head coach.
The five-time premiership winner and former captain took over as head coach in late 2020. He has played 241 premiership games for the Broncos.
He coached 99 NRL games, the third longest-serving coach of the club.
Broncos chief executive officer Dave Donaghy paid tribute to Walters in an online statement: “We owe a debt of gratitude to Kevin, for the enormous role he’s played as head coach over the past four years,” he says.
“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 and that helped lift us out of a really difficult time.”
The Broncos finished 12th this season with a 0-14 win-loss record just 12 months after they had made the NRL grand final.
Already, the media are casting doubt over the future of Broncos fullback Reece Walsh and his $5m contract extension in the wake of the decision.
Some reports say Walsh has yet to sign off on his contract extension as a November 1 deadline looms.
